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A BRIEF HISTORY 

OF 

JOHN and CHRISTIAN FEETZ 

AND A COMPLET3 

Genealogical Family Register 

TO THE Fourth Generation 

WITH 

accounts, and addresses delivered at 

THE FRETZ family REUNIONS HELD 

AT BEDMINSTER, PA , 1 888, 

1893, iSgS, AND 1903, WITH 

PORTRAITS AND OTHER 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 



REV. A.. J. rRET2:, 

Milton, N. J. 

With an Introduction by J. F. Hendricks, a. M. 



Press of the Evergreen News, 

Milton, N. J. 

1904. 



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DEDICATION. 



WE DEDICATE THIS BOOK- 
FIRST. TO THE MEMORY OF OUR ANCESTORS, WHO 
BEQUEATHED TO US THE GLORIOUS PRIVILEGE OF RELIG- 
IOUS LIBERTY, AND SET US EXAMPLES OF BLAMELESS, 
EXEMPLARY LIVES. 

SECOND. TO OUR PARENTS, W^HO TAUGHT US TO PRIZE 
THIS INHERITANCE AS A PRICELESS BOON DIRECT FROM 
THE HAND OF GOD. 

THIRD. TO OUR CHILDREN, WHOM WE ADJURE TO 
CHERISH THEIR INESTIMABLE PRIVILEGES, AND KEEP UN- 
SULLIED THE FAMILY NAME. 

FOURTH. TO OUR POSTERITY MAY THEY EMULATE 
THE WORTHY EXAMPLE OF THE "GOOD AND TRUE" WHO 
HAVE PRECEDED THEM, AND "HONOR GOD AND OBEY HIS 
COMMANDMENTS. 



/ 



INTRODUCTION. 



The history of the Fretz family in America has 
hitherto been unpreserved save by personal recollec- 
tions transmitted from generation to generation and 
by such information as may be found in family 
Bijles, church archives public records, etc., and was 
fast being lost to the world. The want of some 
accurate, complete, enduring record of this old and 
numerous stock has therefore long been felt and 
the undersigned, among other descendants of the 
blood, finall}' suggested the compilation and publica- 
tion of a formal history of the family. The collection 
of the information it was at once apparent would 
prove a gigantic undertaking and ought to be placed 
into the hands of one peculiarly fitted for that 
kind of work. As a per.son thus fitted, there stood 
out in bold relief Rev. A. J. Fretz, and he was 
at once solicited to undertake the task. He kindly 
consented. The work was begun. Descendants were 
hunted up, grandfathers and grandmothers inter-' 
viewed, family Bibles and old documents rummaged, 
public records searched, thousands of letters written, 
3^ears of labor bestowed; and at last the information 
attainable is about all attained, the work goes to 
press and to-day we present to posterity and to the 
world the fruit of our labors. We present the history 
of a family whose settlement in this country dates way 
back beyond the Revolution, whose descendants have 
spread not only over every section of this broad 
land but over Canada as well, and whose number has 
already grown into swelling thousands. We present 
the history of a plain, sturdy, country folk; of an 
industrious, thrifty, upright, christian people. We 
present the histor}- of an ancestry whereof we are 
justly proud and whom we ever delight to honor. 



— 6 — 

We present the history of a people whose memory 
posterity may cherish to endless day and whose vir- 
tues the world may well emulate. Up to the present 
generation, the family produced few (if any) profes- 
sional men. It was a people of peace and quiet. It 
was a line of unassuming, conscientious sons of toil. 
Most of them were farmers. A few of them adopted 
some other manual pursuits. But the generation 
of to-day is not confined to the workshop and the 
farm. It graces every walk in life. It is represented 
in every profession. It has won high honors among 
men. It has made its mark in business, in the school- 
room, in journalism, in medicine, at the bar, on 
the platform, in the pulpit. God speed the new 
departure. May the Fretz descendants freely enter 
the pursuit for which their tastes and capabilities may 
fit them; may they keep pace with the car of prog- 
ress, may they aspire to every thing that is worthy 
and honorable but may they never forsake the vir- 
tues of the fathers and bring shame upon an honored 
name. May they so live that the very name shall be 
a passport to respect, confidence, preferment. Every 
man every hour of his life, whether consciously or 
unconsciously, is making history and that history 
either is to his credit or it is not. May the Fretz 
posterity ever bear this truth in their hearts and so 
live that the history of the future shall be as resplen- 
dent as the history of the past. In every age monu- 
ments have been reared to commemorate noble deeds 
and illustrious careers and it is fitting that the good 
men do be immortalized — immortalized in bronze 
and granite and marble, immortalized in statue and 
arch and splendid pile. In every age the notable 
works of men have been inscribed upon the annals 
and it is meet that every worthy deed should be 
preserved to the world. There is a monument, an 
annal for good things done; and the proudest monu- 
ment, the sweetest annal is that of a noble, blameless 
life written on the hearts and wrought into the lives 
of men. Though the chisel may never inscribe, 
though the statue may never preserve, though the 
page may never contain and though we have long 



been sleeping the last sleep we may still live — live 
from age to age, live in those whom we in life have 
blest. And though unmarbled, unannaled, unsung 
unwept, unreraembered our names may be inscribed 
on the book of life. May the Fretz descendants — 
though worldlj' honors never crown their heads, 
though their worth and works are unnoticed of men 
— strive, whether by their struggle for lofty prizes 
or by the beauty of their quiet lives, at least to merit 
the reward. With this hope — this prayerful hope — 
we present and commit this work to posterity and 
to the world. 

J. Freeman Hendricks. 

Doylestowu, Pa., July 19, 1890. 



THE FRETZ FAMILY HISTORY. 



The brothers John and Christian Fretz, together 
with a third brother, (whose name is said to have 
been Mark, and who died on the voyage), emigrated 
from near the city of Manheim, in the Grand l3uchy 
of Baden, Germany, formerly known as the Palatin- 
ate, or Rheinish Prussia. They were either of Ger- 
man or Swiss origin, probably the former as they 
wrote and spoke the German language, and were 
connected with a distinctively German Church. On 
the opposite side of the Rhine in the Province of 
Alsatia, are to this day living where they have lived 
for the past two or more centuries many Fretz's of 
an old Alsatian stock, who claim they are of German 
origin, "as all true Alsatians are." 

The province of Alsatia was annexed to France 
in 1648, prior to that time it was always under Ger- 
man Dominion, and while the French language was 
exclusively taught in the schools, the language 
spoken is a German dialect, with decided variations 
in different localities. However, Fretz is a family 
residing to this day in the Canton Zurich, Switzer- 
land, so it is possible that the family may be of Swiss 
origin. 

The Fretz ancestors undoubtedly landed at the 
Port of Philadelphia; the date of their arrival is not 
known, but must have been between the 3'ears of 
1710 and 1725. It is said that they came to this 
country during what was known as "the last perse- 
cution." They were given the alternative of con- 
necting themselves with the State church, or leave 
the country, and they chose rather than to give up 
their religious liberty to leave the "P'atherland," the 
land of their birth, and the homes of their kindred 



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— 9 — 

and friends, the graves of their ancestors, and all 
the hallowed associations of the home and country 
of their nativity, and found for themselves a home 
in a strange and far-off land where they could wor- 
ship God "under their own vine and figtree," ac- 
cording to the dictates of their own conscience with- 
out fear of molestation, f 

Undoubtedly they had heard that America af- 
forded a refuge for the oppressed and granted relig- 
ious liberty to all its subjects, and naturally enough 
they accepted the invitation of the good' William 
Penn, to come over to this land of Canaan, where 
they too, might enjoy liberty of conscience. And 
thus are we, as their descendants, citizens of this 
great liberty loving country. How we, of to-day, 
should prize this liberty! Think what our ancestors 
sacrificed to enjoy it. How they left their native 
land, a country established many hundreds of years, 
to seek a home in the new world, in the wilds of 
America. 

They came about thirty-five years after the 
charter was granted, and the great seal of England, 
with the signature of Charles 11. was affixed, and 
William Penn became the proprietor of Pennsylvania. 
They were here about thirty-five years before the 
French and Indian war, in which George Washing- 
ton, was a British Colonel. The ancestor John 
Fretz died before the fires of the Revolution were 
kindled, or about three years before the battle of 
Lexington, and the ancestor Christian Fretz died 
near the close of the great struggle for political liber- 
ty from crowned tyranny. 

They came when the country was but sparsely 
settled, when the inconveniences were great, and 
when the equally dangerous red man infested the 
land. They were still living during the period when 
some of the great subjects which eventually led to 
the war of jthe Revolution were being agitated, and 
their children were settled with families during the 
bloody struggle for Independence, and aUhough 
being non-combatants, they were true and loyat to 
the American cause, and aided it as best they could 



lO — 

without compromising their religious faith by bear- 
ing arms. 

The ancestors and their immediate descendants 
were Mennonites, and worshiped at Deep Run, 
Bucks Co. Pa., first in the old log church, which 
was probably built in 1746, and later in the old stone 
church, built in 1766, and which stood for over one 
hundred years. They no doubt aided in erecting 
this church, both by contributing of their means and 
labor, and from it their mortal remains were carried 
to their last earthly resting place in the cemetery ad- 
joining. 

There may their ashes rest in peace until the 
trumphet of Gabriel shall awake the dead to come 
forth, and obtain the inheritance of the faithful. 

John Fretz, evidently the eldest of the brothers, 
was twice married, his first wife was Barbara Meyer, 
daughter of pioneer Hans Meyer, of Upper Salford 
Montgomery county Pa. She was born about 1710, 
and died about 1740 or later. The children by this 
union were John, Jacob, Christian, Abraham, and 
Elizabeth. F^or his second wife he married Maria 
— , by whom he had three children, viz: Mark, 
Henry, and Barbara. 

John Fretz probably at first lived somewhere in 
Montgomery county, where all the children by his 
first wife were probably born txcept Elizabeth. He 
afterwards settled in Bucks Co, in what was then 
Plumstead township, but now Btdminster, or what 
is known as the Old Fretz Homestead, situated about 
one mile Northeast of Bedminsterville, now owned 
and occupied by Mahlon M. Fretz. 

The homestead originally consisted of 230 acres 
of land, which John Fretz purchased of Bartholomew 
Longstreth. in 1737 or 1738, for which he paid 106 
pounds. The release being given in the year 1738 in 
the month of May. 

The tract when purchased had a house, barn, 
and other buildings, but was surrounded on all sides 
by vacant and unimproved wild land. 

Here the pioneer sojourned until the close of his 
earthly pilgrimage following the vocations 



— 1 1 — 

of farming and weaving. The homestead farm 
now inchides the whole or part of four farms, viz: 
Samuel High's. 69 acres; Mahlon M. Fretz's, 57 
acres; Isaac L Fretz's, 44 acres; and Reuben Mil- 
ler's, 60 acres. The old homestead proper is still in 
the Fretz name, and is owned and occupied by Mah- 
lon M Fretz, of the sixth generation from the pioneer, 
and who has remodeled the substantial stone house 
erected b)- Deacon Abraham Fretz in 1821, and who 
was the third owner, his father Christian Fretz being 
the second owner. The fourth owner was Deacon 
Abraham F'retz's youngest son Abraham Fretz, 
known as "Drov^er Abraham Fretz" It afterwards 
passed into the hands of Ely Fretz, father of the 
present owner Mahlon M. Fretz, the latter being six- 
th and present owner. 

John Fretz was a weaver by trade, and is knov/n 
as "Weaver John." Of his public services nothing 
is known of especial interest further than that he was 
one of a committee to form the new township of Bed- 
rainster in 1741. 

The last will and testament of John Fretz was 
dated January 29, 1772, and was probated March 3, 
of the same year, showing that he died between the 
two dates given, probably in February 1772. 

The provisions of the will were that his son 
Christian should ha^^ethe farm, and pay 800 pounds, 
and each of the children were to have equal shares, 
except the sum of 60 pounds which was to be dis- 
tributed among the children of his first wife, and 
which came from their Grandfather Hans Meyer. 

To the widow Maria, was willed a 100 pounds 
of which she was to receive the interest as long as 
she remained his widow. She was to have the 
house in which George White lived at that time. 

The last Will and Testament of John Fretz reads 
as follows: — 

In the name of God Amen. I, John Fretz, of the Township of 
Bedminster in the Count}' of Bucks in the Province of Pennsylvania, 
Weaver being sick in body, but of sound memory blessed be God 
unto this day the twenty-ninth day of January in the year of our 
Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two make this as 
my last Will and Testament in manner and form following: 

First of all it is my Will that when it shall please God to 



call me out of this world my body shall be decently buried, and my 
soul 1 recommend to God my Savior. 

Secondly, I Will that all ray just debts shall be paid carefully 
out of my estate, and rest disposed of as followth, that is to say, I 
give unto my beloved wife Maria, one hundred pounds lawful money 
to be paid out of my estate and the said hundred pounds shall be 
put on interest, and my wife shall have the interest yearly during; 
her natural life, or so long as she remains my widov/, and if she shall 
want any of the principal of the said hundred pounds so that the in- 
terest would not be sufficent for her yearly maintenance, it shall be 
allowed to her sufficient to maintain her during: her natural life, or 
80 long she remains my widow, and if any is remaining of the said 
hundred pounds after her decease; or if she marries again, the re- 
mainder shall be equally divided amongst my children in equal shares, 
and it is my Will that my wife shall live in the house wherein George 
White lives now, during her natural life or so long as she remains 
my widow, and my Executors shall finish the house off sufhciently 
and build a good stable to the house to put her cow in and her hay, 
and ray son Christian Fretz shall let her have so much meadow hay 
as to give two cows, and my said son Christian shall give unto my 
said wife yearly eleven bushels of good winter grain half wheat and 
half rye, and to sow yearly one acre of Buckwheat, and to plow a 
half acre of land for Indian corn, and to plow and sow a half acre 
for flax yearly during her natural life or so long as she remains my 
widow, and my wife shall have a row of apple trees in my orchard, 
the fourth row from the barn, and my wife shall have to choose a 
cow from my cows which she please, and her bed and clothes and 
the furniture belonging to her bed, and my wife shall have one iron 
pot, and two iiails, and all her household goods which she brought 
to me she shall take again, and my said wife shall have liberty to 
cut fire-wood on my place sufficient during her natural life or so long 
as she remains my widow. The garden by the house of George 
White shall be for her during her natural life, and it is further my 
Will that all niy children shall have equal shares-except sixty pounds 
lawful money shall be paid unto the children of ray first wife out of 
ray estate which money came by their Grandfather, and the said six- 
ty pounds shall be equally divided amongst my said children of ray 
first wife. And as my children which are married have had fifty 
pounds apiece it is my Will that my son Mark sball have fifty pounds 
likewise to make him equal M'ith the rest, and my son Henry shall 
have so much as my children from my first wife except what is above 
excepted, and except the fifty pounds which is jiaid unto my child- 
ren when married. 

And it is further my Will that my daughter Barbara shall have 
one hundred pounds lawful money out of \ny estate, and a cow, and 
a bed, all which she shall have when she comes to the age of eigh- 
teen years, and my son Henry shall have his share when he comes to 
the age of twenty-one years— and no sooner. And it further my 
Wdl that my son Christian Fretz shall have all my lands to liira, his 
Heirs and assigns, and he shall pay 800 pounds lawful money for 
my said land or plantation, and to have the half of the grain in the 
ground with the place, and he is to pay the Legatees as the Will 
directs, and he, the said Christian fulfill all the articles mentioned 
in this Will to my wife accordingly and my sf)n Christian shall have 
always a equal share with the rest of my children. 

He, the said Christian, my son, shall pay unto John Fretz my 
son, and Jac(jb Fretz, and Jacob Kulji, my son-in-law, for my 
daughter Elizabeth, her share fifteen months after my decease, and 
unto my son Abraham two years and three months after my decease, 
and unto my son Marcks, three years and three months after my de- 
cease, and the said Barbara, my daughter which is mentioned in 




Dk. WILLIAM RITTENHOUSE 



— I :>— 




this "Will she shall have no more of my estate as the hncdred pounds 
aud the cow, auu bed, as above mentioued, and Lastly, 1 do ordain, 
constitute, and appoint mv sons Chrisliau and John Fretz, to be my 
ExeeutorbOt this my Last'Will and Testament, whom! do empower 
authorize to sell all my Estate extepL what is in this Will excepted 
aud to pay all my debts and the Legacies aforesaid in my name, 
utterly revoking'and disannullmg ail other and former Wills or 
Testainei.ts auu Executors by me bolore this time made cr_ named 
llatifjiny and Conlirining this and no other to be my lust Will and 
Test.iment. In witness whereof J have to this presents set my hand 
and seal this the tvveuty-uiuth day of January in the year IT?'.'. 

Sealed signed pronounced — 

declar by this ])resent8 this j — '•■ — 

as my last Will and Testa- John 

meut in the presence of us i Fretz. 
Daniel Gross [ 
Jacob Kolti — 
His children in the order ol their births were, viz: John, Jacob, 
Christian, Abraham, Elizabeth, Mark, lienry, and iJarbara. 

19. John Fretz Jr, b Mar. 1730, cl May 4, 1826, 
aged 96 years; m Mary Kolb of Tinicum Twp. 
Bucks Co. Pa., in 175.1.. She was b Sept. 10, 1730, 

d . They lived previous to, and at the time of 

his father's death, in Haycock Twp. Pa., on the 
Tohickon, where he owned and run a mill. He 
afterward moved below Doylestown. 

In 1 Soo he emigrated to Canada with all of his 
family except his daughter Barbara, who married 
Jacob Silvius, and remained with her family in Bucks 
Co., and Moses, who went out to Canada the year 
previous. The journey to Canada vv'as in wagons, 
and on foot. The old people rode and the younger 
members of the family walked. It is said that Mrs. 
Hippie carried her child all the way to Canada on 
foot. The journey Vv'as a very tedious one, through 
the thinly settled wilderness. In some places they 
had to cut a road through the forests, and for lack 
of bridges they had to ford the streams. Thus on 
their wa}- they experienced many hardships. 

An incident occurred in the early days of the 
Revolution which undoubted indicates that in his 
sympathies John Fretz was more loyal to the British 
Crown than to the American cause. The patriot 
army being somewhat destitute of arms, the soldiers 
went from house to house collecting guns for the 
army from the settlers. On coming to his house 
they asked for his gun. He took the weapon from 



— 14— 

its accustomed place and replied to the soldiers- 
"Yes, you can have my gun, but I'll keep hold of 
the butt end of it." 

In 1801 the first Mennonite church was estab- 
lished in Canada, known as Moyer's church. Of 
this church he was ordained in 1801, being the' first 
deacon of the Mennonite church in Canada. C- 
Manasseh, Barbara, Abraham, Ephraim, Judith 
Moses, Anna, Dianna, Sarah, Elizabeth. 

Ill- Manasseh Fretz, b in Bucks Co. Pa., Mar. 22, 
1755, din Canada; m Mary Swartz Dec' 7 1770' 
She died June 4, 1781. One child: (|Y) John Fretz* 
b May 31, 1781, d July 31, 1781. 

He m second wife Anna Kulp, Aug 31 1781 
Shed May 15. 1803. C: (|Y) Margaret, ' Mary,' 
Ephraim, Elizabeth, Samuel, Barbara, Hannah 
Judith, David. He m third wife Esther Bleam' 
tanner and farmer; Menn. 

III. Barbara Fretz, b May 22. 1756; d in Bucks 
Co. Pa., Apr. 10, 1821; m Silvius, Sept. 15. 1797 
He d Apr. 15, 1845. Blacksmith by trade, and 
nail making. He was also a weaver and farmer near 
Doylestown, Pa. Menn. C: (|Y) Mary, Susanna. 

III. Abraham Fretz, b Feb. 3, 1758, d infant. 

III. Ephraim Fretz, b Aug. 18, 1760, d young 

III. Judith Fretz, bOct. 27, 1761, din Canada Jan. 
t8, 1837; m Thomas Watters. He d Dec. 4, 1849. 
C: (lY) Nancy, 

III Moses Fretz, b Dec. 23, 1763. Emigrated to 
Canada m 1799, where he d Oct. 4, 1843. No issue. 

III. Anna Fretz, bin 1765, d young. 

III. Dinah Fretz, b May 30, 1768, d in Canada 
Sept. 7, iSor; m Michael Rittenhouse June 11, 1793 
He wash Sept. i 1768, dAug. 2, 1852. Farmer in 
Lincoln Co. Ont. Menn. C: (|Y) Mary, Mar- 
garet, Anna, John. 

Ill- Sarah Fretz, b Dec. 26, 1771, d in Canada 
June 16, 1866, m Lawrence Hippie Nov. 21, 1796 
He was b Sept. 1775. d July 31, 1840. Menn. C- 
(lY) Moses, Mary, Judith, Margaret, Sarah, Will- 
iam, John, Lawrence, Barbara. 
III. Elizabeth Fretz, b Oct. 13, 1774, d in Canada 



Oct. 21, i860, m Abraham Grobb. He d June 23 
1842. C: (IV) Elizabeth, Mary, John, Abraham! 
David, Moses, Susan, Joseph. 

II. Jacob Fretz, b about 1732, d — , m Magdalena 
Nash, daughter of William Nash, about 1755. 
They at first lived on a farm in Tinicum Twp. near 
Ervvinna, later known as the Ervine place, he hav- 
ing sold it to a man by the name of Ervin. 

It afterward came into the hands of the Stovers. 
After selling his farm near Erwinna, he purchased a 
farm in Bedminster Twp. where he lived and died, 
and where his son Joseph (known as "Big Joe") 
also lived and died, after which it was sold to Isaac 
Detweiler, and later to Aaron Yerger. The farm 
originally extended back to the Tohickon. Jacob 
Fretz and wife in all probability were members of 
the Mennonite church at Deep Run, and were buried 
there. C: Elizabeth, Abraham. John, Hannah, 
Barbara, Magdalena, Jacob, William, Joseph', 
Isaac. 

III. Elizabeth Fretz, b July i, 1756, d Feb. 13, 
1 83 1, m Rev. John Kephart. He was b Feb. 10, 
1751, d Aug. 31, 1822. Farmer and minister. Or- 
dained to the ministry of the Mennonite church, and 
preached at the Doylestown meeting-house, where 
he and wife are buried. C: (|V) Magdalena, Susan, 
Elizabeth, Jacob, John, Catharine, Hannah, Abra- 
ham, Anna. 
III. Abraham Fretz, b Jan. i, 1758, d Feb. 14, 
1849, m Elizabeth Harmon, Mar. 14, 1786. She d 
in 1843. He was a farmer and weaver, and lived 
in Hilltown Twp. During the Revolutionary war 
he was for three months teamster in the American 
army, and was present at the battle of Bunker Hill 
Menn. C: (|Y) Jacob, Susan, John, Catharine, 
Abraham. 

III. John Fretz, b Aug. 28, 1763, d Feb. 24, 1842, 
m Mary Kratz Apr. 15, 1792. She was b Mar. 7, 
1770, d July 9, 1849. Farmer; Menn. C: (JV) 
Magdalena, Rachel, Elizabeth, Abraham, Barbara, 
John, Mary, Susanna, Lydia. 
III. Hannah Fretz, d advanced in years. S. 



— 16— 

jy. Barbara Fretz, d advanced in years. 

III. Magdalena Fretz, d young. 

ill Jacob Fretz, (d), m Elizabeth Hiestand about 
1803—5. Farxner, Menn. C: (IV) Henry, Eli, 
Noah, William. 

\\l William Fretz, b Oct. 22, 176S, (d), m Mary 
Stover. C: (IV) Joseph, Barbara, Jacob, Magda- 
lena, Catharine. He m second wife Margaret Gar- 
ges. C: (i^) Eliza. Farmer in Bedminster Tvvp. 
Menn. 

ill- Joseph Fretz, b 1771, d 1S23, m Mary daugh- 
ter of Abraham Souder. Farmer near Stovers' mill, 
in Bedminster. He was called "Big Joe" to disting- 
uish him from several other Joseph Fretz's. Menn. 
C: (iV) Elizabeth, Abraham, Catharine, William. 

Ill Isaac Fretz, b June 11, 1781, d Dec. 27, 1855, 
m Mary Moyer. She d Mar. 27, 1855, aged 6S-7-5. 
Farmer in Richland Twp. C: (SV) William, Mag- 
dalena. 

II Christian Fretz, bin 1734, d May i, 1803, m 
Barbara Oberholtzer, daughter of Martin and Agnes 
Oberholtzer. ShewasbNov. 10, 1737, d May 8, 
1S23, aged 85 years 5 months 28 days. At the 
time of her death she was the mother of 12 children, 
had T09 grandchildren and 103 great grandchildren. 
Christian Fretz was one of the executors of his 
father's estate, and inherited the old homestead in 
Bedminster where he lived and died. To the home- 
stead he added by purcha.se from his son John, the 
tract known as the "Poor Fields" in 17^3, consist- 
ing of about 30 acres He and wife were members 
of the Mennonite church, and wor.shiped in the ever 
memorable Old Stone Church at Deep Run, which 
was the oldest Mennonite congregation in Bucks Co. 
In liis day the Indians were yet quite numerous, and 
often quite troublesome. It is related that Christian 
Fretz had a very fine horse, to which the Indians 
took a particular fancy, and wanted to buy, but he 
would not sell it. The Indians however, determined 
to get possession of the horse, and came by night 
and stole it. Some time after, it was ascertained 
where the horse was, and he went to the Indian 




COL. T. G. KEPHART 



— 17 — 

camp, arriving at evening, and seeing the horse 
turned out to pasture, he concealed himself until 
slumber had fallen upon the inhabitants of the wig- 
wams. The Indians had a custom of just before retir- 
ing for the night, to go outside of their wigwams and 
shout and make a great noiss to freighten away the 
vyild animals. Knowing this to be the signal for re- 
tiring, he waited until he thought they were sound 
as-sleep, then entered the lot, secured the horse, 
and returned home with it. It is also related that 
his son Joseph had a very fine young horse, and 
that during the Revolutionary war, when Washing- 
ton's Army was encamped below Newton, that 
foraging teams, accompanied by an officer on horse- 
back, came to Christian Fretz's place for hay for 
the army, that the officer saw the horse, and in 
conversation with the foragemen, said it was a fine 
horse, that he would try and buy it, but if he could 
not buy it, he would have it anyway. The conver- 
sation between the officer and men was over-heard 
by one of Christian Fretz's daughters, who ran to 
the house and told her brother, who was sitting at 
the loom weaving. As the officer was coming to 
the house by the front way, to see him about the 
horse, he not wishing to part with it, leaped through 
the window, ran to the barn by the back way un- 
observed by the officer, mounted the horse, and rode 
towards the Haycock Mountain. 

The offlcer however saw him as he dashed a- 
vyay with the horse, and followed some distance un- 
til he lost track of him. He rode the horse up 
through the wilderness country, a part of the time 
fording up the streams to cover his tracks and hid 
the horse at the place now known as Shellenberger's 
mill. A few days later the officer came again to 
Christian Fretz's place, and told him that he would 
have that horse. 

The next day, however, Christian Fretz ac- 
companied by a neighbor went to the Encampment 
at Newton, and laid the matter before the General 
in Command. The General gave him a writing of 



— iS— 

protection, told him not to trouble himself about the 
horse, and if the officer should come around again, 
to hand him that paper. In a few days the officer 
came the second time, and very impudently made 
demands for the horse, whereupon Christian Fretz 
handed him the paper from the General in command. 
He looked it over, dropped it and left. Among 
the relics of Christian Fretz's home is a table which 
was used in his family, and on which he, being a 
wealthy man, counted his money. The table was 
bought at the public sale of Christian Fretz's effects 
by Joseph Wisler. There is also a much trea.sured 
relic in the form of a finely woven piece of linen 
trousers material, woven by Christian Fretz and 
worn by him, in the possession of Miss Altia Rheua 
Austin, a great-great grand-daughter of Christian 
Fretz. C: John, Agnes, Joseph, Henry, Martin, 
Jacob, Abraham, Isaac, Barbara, Christian, Mary, 
Elizabeth. 

III. John Fretz, b May 24, 1758, d Dec. 20, 1804, 
m Anna Kratz, of Plumstead, daughter of Philip 
Kratz. She was b IS o v. 4, 1764, d Aug. 4, 1813. 
In 1787 he bought what was known as the "Poor 
Fields," in Bedminster Tvvp. which he sold to his 
father in 1793. In 1790 he purchased of John 
Thomas a tract of 130 acres in New Britain Twp. 
now known as the Curly mill property; this he sold 
to 'his uncle Mark P'retz in 1792. He never lived on 
this property. In 1792 he bought 299 j< acres in 
Warwick, Twp. of Richard and Willet Smith for 
lb 1200. In i794hebuilta barn on this property, 
and in 1795 a stone house, which is still 
standing. To this property he added 
by various purchases until he owned 800 
acres along the Neshaming Creek, marked on old 
Pennsylvania map as "Fretz Valley." Menn. C: 
(IV) Christian, Susan, Rachel, Barbara, Elizabeth, 
Mary, John, Anna, Philip. 

III. Agnes Fretz, bSept. 13, 1759, (d), m Abra- 
ham Bewighouse. Farmer, Menn. C: (|V) Daniel, 
Barbara, Christian, John, Mary. 
(!8- Joseph Fretz, b May 9, 1761, d Mar. 29, 1806, 



— 19— 

m Maria Kraut Nov. i, lySr. She was b Feb. ir, 
1762, (d). He owned and operated a fulling mill, 
near the Tohickon, iti Haycock Twp. and was known 
as "Fuller Joe." Menu. C: (JV) Elizabeth, Christ- 
ian, Barbara, Anna, Maria, Susanna, Agnes, 
Rachel, Joseph, Sarah, John, Veronica. 

(||. Henry P'retz, b Feb. 17, 1763, d Oct. 9, 1S20, 
m Anna Krout May 13, 17S4. She was b Sept. 
1764, d Jan. 22, 1806. Farmer, and lived in Bed- 
^ minster on the farms later owned by John and Abra- 
ham Bewighouse. He was called "Hurrynig Hen" 
from his habit of hurrying, or urging his men who 
were working for him. He m second wUe — Beidlcr. 
No issue. C: by first wife: (|V) Elizabeth, Barbara, 
Christian, Mary, Sarah, Agues, Abraham, Joseph, 
Annie, Henry, John. 

HI- Martin Fretz, b Aug. 9, 1784, d Sept. 26, 1835. 
Farmer and Linceed Oil M'f'g'r. He lived in Hill- 
town Twp. near Yost's IMill, on the farm now oc- 
cupied by Jacob Smith. 

He was an honest upright man, and held in high 
esteem. , As a christian, he endeavored faithfully 
to discharge his religious duties, in all of which he 
was conscientiously strict. He never allowed any 
member of his family to leave the church before the 
benediction was pronounced. An adage of his was 
"Wernaus geht vor dem segen, geht dem fluch 
entgegen." Though at times taking a smoke, it was 
a saying of his, "That he never wanted to be a slave 
to tobacco or whisk}'." In the time of the subject 
of this sketch, many of the luxuries of the present 
day were not enjoyed. There was no carpets, and 
no parlor matches in those days. Sometimes they 
had to go to neighbors for fire, and on one occasion 
the Fretz meadow was set on fire by borrowed fire. 
For married girls in those days the dry goods outfit 
was mostly home-made. The spinning wheel was 
one of the fixtures of the family, and in this family 
of ten girls there were six spinning wheels going at 
onetime, commencing at 5 o'clock in the morning, 
and continuing until 10 and 11 p. m. One of the 
daughters, Mrs. Susanna Funk, generally spun 



— 20- 



1 8 cuts of flax per day, and one day she spun 20 
cuts. The reel and the shaving bench were in the 
same room. Martin Fretz was twice married. His 
first wife was Anna Kratz, by whom he had 15 
children. She was b Sept. 11, 1768; d June 24, 
1 816. His second wife was Anna Licey. They 
were members of the Mennonite church at Blooming 
Glen, where they were buried. C: (|V) Barbara, 
Mary, Agnes, Betsey, Betsey, Nancy, Veronica! 
Martin, Martm, Susanna, Silas, Veronica, Catha- 
rine, Leah, Rachel. 

III. Jacob Fretz, b Jan. i, 1767, d Jan. 12, 1799, m 
Elizabeth Kratz Nov. 6, 1787. She was b 1768. 
Lived at Fleecydale in Solebury. Fuller and Dyer. 
C: (lY) Philip, Barbara, 'Christian, Flizabeth^ 
Mary. 

III. Abraham Fretz, b Mar. 30, 1769, d Mar. 7, 
1844, m Magdalena, daughter of John Kratz of 
Hilltown, Apr. 30, 1793. She was b Aug. 30, 
1776, djan. 9, 1840. They lived and died on the 
old Fretz homestead, in Bedminster Twp. The 
farm consisted of about 255 acres he inherited from 
his father. He was an honest, upright citizen, a 
conscientious christian, and much esteemed by the 
community in which he lived. It is related that 
while he was working in the field one day, a man 
rode up, and seeing his fine cows, wanted to buy 
one, but he did not want to sell. The man however 
insisted and asked him to set a price. He then 
thought that if he should ask double wliat the cow 
was worth, the man would leave without buying. 
But contrary to his expectations, the man laid 
down the money and drove the cow off. After the 
man was gone, he talked the matter over with his 
wife, and they decided it was "Usury." So he 
mounted a horse, rode after the man, and gave him 
back half of the money, saying, "I don't want to be 
damed for acow." He and wife were members of 
the Mennonite church at Deep Run, of which he was 
for many years a deacon, and there they are buried. 
C: (JV) Anna, Rebecca, Jacob, Christian, John, 
Lsaac, Martin, Elizabeth, Barbara, Abraham. 



CD 

p 
5r 



K^ 









— 21- 



|||. Isaac Fretz, b Feb. 12, 1771, d Nov. i, 1843, m 
Susanna Kratz of Hilltown Twp. May 28, 1793. 
She was b Sept. 3, 1775, d Mar. 20, 1798. C: (iV) 
Abraham, Enos, Susanna. He m second wife Ver- 
onica Kratz, of Skippack, Montg. Co. in 1800. She 
was b Oct. 28, 1778, d in 182 1. C: (|Y) John, 
Elizabeth, Jacob, Isaac, William, Mahlon, Mary, 
Samuel. Pie m third wife Betsey Landis, in 1822. 
She was b Nov. 16, 1799, d Feb. 13, 1887. In early 
life Isaac Fretz followed farming. He owned and 
lived on the farm in Tinicum Twp. now owned by 
Henry F. Myers. He also for a time had teams on 
the road freighting goods from Philadelphia to 
Easton, Bethlehem, and Nazareth, with an occasion- 
al visit to Pittsburg and other points west. During 
his absence from home, Mar. 4, 1804, his barn was 
struck by lightning and burned. On this occasion 
his wife Veronica displayed heroic energy, in res- 
cuing horses and cattle from the burning building. 
In spite of all efforts to rescue the cattle from the 
flames, one horse and 14, (some say 21), head of 
cattle perished. In 181 5 Isaac Fretz built what is 
now known as the Fretz Valley Mill, on the To- 
hickon Creek, and in addition to farming operated 
the mill. During his busy life he succeeded to 
competency, and accumulated nearly 300 acres of 
land. He and wives were Mennonites. 

\\\. Barbara Fretz, b in 1773, d about 1821, m 
Henry Fretz, son of Abraham and Dorothea (Kulp) 
Fretz, about 1791-2. Pie was b 1770-1, d soon 
after marriage. C: (|V) Catharine, Anna. She 
m second husband Henry Hockman. Farmer in 
Bedminster, on the farm now owned by Rev. Allen 
M. Fretz. C: (|V) Mary, Christian, Barbara, 
Abraham, Veronica. 

Si|. Christian Fretz, bin 1775, Apr. 5, 1799. S. 

III. Mary Fretz, b May 15, 1777, d Nov. 9, 1822, 
m Henry Tyson. Farmer, Menn. C: (|V) Eliza- 
beth, Cornelius, Joseph, Martin, Mary, Barbara, 
Henry. 

ii|. Elizabeth Fretz, bOct. 20, 1780, d Feb. 29, 
1 82 8, m Abraham Meyer Nov. 21, 1809. He was b 



— 22 — 

Apr. 21, 1784. Mason and farmer in Salford, 
Montg. Co. Pa. Menn. C: (|Y) Mary, Rev. Isaac, 
Christian, Rev. Abraham, Anna, Elizabeth, Bar- 
bara. 

||. Abraham Fretz, b about 1736. He lived on a 
farm of 226 acres, situated in the eastern part of 
Bedminster Tvvp. , known as "Fretz Valley" now 
owned by H. Erwin Fretz and Reed Fretz. Abra- 
ham Fretz Sr, purchased said farm of one Fell, in 
1757. Whom he married, and dates of their deaths 
not known. They were Mennonites and were buried 
at Deep Run. C: Agnes, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, 
Abraham. 

Hi. Agnes Fretz, b May 13, 1763, d Nov. 20, 
1826, m Jacob Landis June 13, 1782. He was b 
Feb. 24, 1760, d Sept 5, 1837. Farmer and Spin- 
ning-wheel maker. They lived on the property pur- 
chased of Joseph Grier, the deed bearing date Apr. 
6, 1796. It is situated in the eastern corner of Hill- 
town, known as Griers' Corner. No physician was 
employed at the births of their eleven children. A 
midwife who traveled on horseback was the only 
attendant. Agnes and Magdalena, when young 
women, threshed with the flail 30 bushels of rye for 
seed which was sold to the neighbors. The girls 
walked five miles to school at Deep Run. Magda- 
lena and Barbara never married and lived together 
on the homestead. In her 3'Ounger years Magda- 
lena cut all their firewood with a five pound axe, 
and Barbara cared for and fed the cow and pigs. 
Menn. C: (IV) Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth, Ralph, 
Agnes, Magdalena, Anna, Jacob, Barbara, Abra- 
ham, Joseph. 

III. Elizabeth Fretz, b Sept. 24, 1766, d May 4, 
1835, m Samuel Landis Nov. 15, 1787. He died 
Nov. 26, 1 801, aged 35 years 2 months 6 days. Far- 
mer near Pipersville, Pa. Menn. C: (|Y) Abra- 
ham, Magdalena, Joseph, Samuel, Jacob, Isaac, 
Mary. 

U|. Mary Fretz, b about, 1770, (d), m Rev. 
Daniel Landis, minister of the Mennonite church. 
C: (lY) Benjamin, Jacob, Abraham, Daniel, Mary, 



-23- 



Samuel, Magdalena, Sarah, Infant. 

Ii|. Sarah Fretz, (d), m Joseph Landis. No 
issue. 

III. Abraham Fretz, b Aug. 17, 1775, d May 20, 
1816, m Rachel, daughter of Philip Kratz, Apr. 4, 
1797. She was b Sept. 5, 1776, d May 22, 1852. 
Farmer, and lived on the homestead in Bedminster, 
of which he took possession in 1797. Menn. C: 
(ly) Susan, Jacob, Anna, Philip, Elizabeth, Abra- 
ham. 

||. Elizabeth Fretz, bin Bedminster, Bucks Co. 
Pa. July 19, 1739, (d), m Jacob Kolb* Ma}^ 22, 
1760. He was b Apr. 16, 1737, (d). They at 
first lived in Tinicum Twp. and afterwards moved, 
to Hilltown Twp. near Blooming Glen, where many 
of their descendants still live. Farmer, Menn. C: 
Isaac, John, Gertrude, Jacob, Abraham, Deilraan, 
Henry, Elizabeth, Barbara, Catharine. 

Ill- Isaac Kulp, b Mar. 3, 1762, (d), m Mary Cly- 
mer — . Farmer, Menn. C: (|V) Jacob, Isaac, 
Elizabeth, Esther, Gertrude, Dillman, Moses, 
Mary, Veronica. 

III. John Kulp, b Sept. 6, 1764, d in 1824, m 
Barbara Funk. Farmer at Blooming Glen, Pa. 
Menn. C: (JV) Jacob, Annie, Sarah. 

III. Gertrude Kulp, b Feb. 8, 1767, (d), m Jacob, 
Hunsberger. Farmer near Hatfield, Pa. Menn. 
No issue. 

III. Rev. Jacob Kulp, b Apr. 30, 1769, din Holmes 
Co. Ohio. Sept. 1858, m Catharine Delp Mar. 24, 
1793. She was b June 21, 1772, d in Holmes Co. 
Ohio, in 1844. Farmer and minister. He was or- 
dained to the ministry of the Mennonite church, at 
the Do5iestown, Pa. meeting house in 1818, where 
he served as pastor for some years. In June 1831, 
he moved to Holmes Co. Ohio, and settled in Wal- 
nut Creek Twp. , which at that time was but sparsely 
settled. There were a few Mennonite families living 
there, wdth a minister by the name of Mishler, but 
were without a church. Mr. Kulp organized a 



* The name is now spelled by some, Kolb, by others Gulp; but 
the majority spell it Kulp. 



—24— 

church, and a log meeting-house was built on the 
farm of his nephew Jacob Kulp. A few years later 
Rev. Jacob Showalter arrived from Pa., and other 
Mennonite families emigrated thither from the east- 
ern and western parts of Pennsylvania; and the church 
prospered until Mr. Kulp's death. (|V) Samuel, 
Elizabeth, Jacob, Catharine, Isaac, Henry, Ger- 
trude, Anna. 

III. Rev. Abraham Kulp, b Apr. 19, 1771, d in 
1848, m Sarah Hunsicker in I796. Farmer and 
minister cf the Mennonite church at Deep Run, Pa. 
C: (lY) Elizabeth, Isaac, Abraham, Anna, Jacob, 
Henr}', John, Sarah, David, Barbara. 

III. Dielman Kulp, b July 23, 1773, C^)' ^ Hester 
Leicy. Farmer; lived on a part of the old Kulp 
homestead near Dublin, Pa. Menu. C: (SY) 
Henry, Anna. 

III. Henry Kulp, b Jan. 28, 1776, (d), m Anna 
Hunsicker. P'armer; lived near Dublin, Pa. Menn. 
C: (IV) Jacob, Isaac, Joseph, Elizabeth. 

\l\. Elizabeth Kulp, b Dec. i, 177S, (d), m Jacob 
Silvius. Farmer; lived below Doylestown, Pa. 
Menn. No issue. 

lU. Barbara Kulp, b May 4,1781, d June 26, 17S3. 

li\. Catharine Kulp, b Nov. 14, 1783, d Sept. 11, 
1876, ra Simon Musselraan. Pie was b Mar. 30, 
1 79 1, d Mar. 30, 1 87 1. Farmer, Menn. C: (|Y) 
vSamnel, Elizabeth, Jacob, Henry. 

||. Mark Fretz, b in Bucks Co. Dec. 1750, d Feb. 
24, 1S40, aged 89 years'and about two months; m 
Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Henry and Barbara 
Rosenberger, of New Britain Twp. Bucks Co. Pa., 
May II, 1773. She was b Sept. 19, 1752, djan. 10, 
1S47. They lived in New Britain Twp. on the place 
now known as "Curley's Mill," which he purchas- 
ed of John Fretz of Warwick, in 1792. The tract 
consisted of 1 30 acres. To this he added by other 
])urchases until he owned several hundred acres. Pie 
was extensively engaged as a farmer and miller. 
They were members of the Mennonite church at 
Line Lexington, of which he was a deacon. C: (itt) 
Barbara, Maria, Elizabeth, Infant dau., Henry > 








Dr. O. H. FRETZ, A. AF. 



—25 — 

Infant daughter, and Mark. 
III. Barbara Fretz, b in Bucks Co. Pa. Apr. 21, 
1775, d in Brazoria Co. Texas June 10, 1840. She 
was buried between two trees; m John Sliver. Brick- 
mason. In early life she was a member of the 
Mennonite church, and later united with the Meth. 
Ep., of which she remained a consistent member un- 
til her death. C: (IV) Elizabeth. 

III. Maria Fretz, b Nov. 16, 1778, d July 7, 1779. 

III. Elizabeth Fretz, b Jan. 27, 1781, d Nov. 6, 
1849, m Rev. John Geil Apr. 22, 1802. He was b 
Apr. 9, 1778, d Jan. 16, 1866. Weaver by trade. 
After marriage he followed farming. Lived in New 
Britain Tvvp. about 50 years. He was ordained to 
the ministry of the Mennonite church at Line 
Lexington about 1809 or ID, and served the church 
faithfully for 55 years, C: (IY) Jacob, Barbara, 
Elizabeth, Mark, Catharine, Mary, John, Anna, 
Samuel. 

III. A daughter, b Jan. 5, 1785, buried next day. 

III. Henry Fretz, bjune 24, 1787, d June 9, 1874, 
m Elizabeth Beidler May 14, 1809. She was b Apr. 
10, 1787, d Dec. 24, 1852. Lived on the old home- 
stead inherited from his father, where he built the 
first Steam mill in Bucks Co. C: (IV) Susan, 
Christian, Eliza, Henry, Mark. Henry m second 
wife, Mary Fretz, Dec. 3, 1854. No issue. 

III. A daughter, b 1789, d unnamed. 

ill. Mark Fretz, b Jan. 9, 1791, d Sept. 5, 1800. 

jj. Henry Fretz, b Nov. 11, 1755, d May 30, 1S31, 
m Barbara Oberholtzer. She wash Oct. 10,1 757, d 1834. 
He lived on a farm in Bedminster Twp., three miles 
west of Bedminsterville, now known as the Wisler 
farm, still owned by his son-in-law, Joseph Wisler, 
where he followed farming and shoe-making, and 
was known as "Shoe-maker Henry." On the oc- 
casion of his funeral, which was very largely at- 
tended; two or three calves were killed and prepared 
for the funeral dinner: and over one hundred carriages 
followed his remains to the grave, showing the high 
esteem in which he was held. He and his wife were 
members of the Old Mennonite church at Deep Run, 



— 26— 

and were buried there. C: Mary, Jacob, John, 
Mark, Esther, Henry, Jonas, Abraham, Sarah, 
David. 

III. Mary Fretz, (b), d Apr. lo, 1827, m William 
Godshall, his second wife. No issue. 

III. Jacob PVetz, (d), m — Newcomer. No issue. 
He m second wife, widow Newcomer, his first wife's 
brother's widow, maiden name High. Lived below 
Doylestown, \^'here he followed shoe-making. He 
afterwards moved to Ohio, and died there without 
issue. 

III. John Fretz, b Jan. 5, 1784, d Feb. 25, 1843, m 
Susanna Haldeman Aug. 16. 1808. She was b Feb. 
2, 17S3, d Apr. 14, 1875. Farmer and drover, and 
lived on the Durham road, about one mile north of 
Garden ville. It is the "Old Homestead," and has 
been in the Fretz family over a hundred years. 
Menu. C: (|V) Tobias, Henry, Mary, Jonas, 
John, Elias, Sarah, Susan. 

III. Mark Fretz, (d), m Barbara Wismer. She 
wash June 13, 1785, d Mar. 14, 1870. C: (|Y) 
Joseph, Henry, John, Mary, Barbara. Elizabeth. 

III. Esther Fretz, b Oct. 19, 1790, dMar. 28, 1S65, 
m Christian Gayman May 9, 1809. He was b Feb. 
9, 1782, d May 17, 1883. They lived in Plumstead 
Twp. on the old Gayman homestead, later the 
property of John Gayman. Shoemaker and farmer. 
Menu. C: (|Y) John, Barbara, Elizabeth, L,eah, 
Rachel, Mary, Henry, Christian, Esther, Sarah. 
She m second husband. Benjamin Wineberry, Jan. 
22, 1835. 

III. Henry Fretz, (d). m Susan Godshall. C: (|V) 
Mary, Barbara. 

III. Jonas Fretz, (d), m Elizabeth Alderfer. Far- 
mer in Bedminster Twp. C: (|V) Barbara, Mary, 
Isaac, Eliza, Catharine, Hannah, Levi, Sarah. 
Ill- Abraham Fretz, b May 19, 1793, d Apr. 23, 
1875, m Susanna Bergy. She was b Mar. 18, 1793, 
d Mar. 19, 1878. Farmer and minister. He was 
ordained to the ministry of the Mennonite church in 
1843, and faithfully served the church for about 32 
years. C: (|V) Jacob, Barbara, Henry, Abraham. 



—27— 

Hi. Sarah Fretz, b Feb. 27, 1797, djuly 21, 1872, 
m Joseph Wisler Mar. 1827. He was b Dec. 7, 
1796. Farmer and weaver. Thej' at first lived in 
Haycock Twp. and then moved to the old Henry 
Fretz Homestead in Bedminster, and later resided 
with his son-in-law Henry Lapp, near Doylestown, 
Pa. Menn. C: (IY) John, Henry, Barbara, Sam- 
uel. 

Ill, David Fretz, b Oct. 12, 1801, d Aug. 5, 1869, 
m Mary Fugleman , daughter of Andrew Engleman, 
of Upper SauconTwp. Lehigh Co. Pa.' She d Mar. 
17, 1846. He was a merchant and, at Plumstead- 
ville for 18 years. The last seven years of his life 
he was speechless, suffering from a paralytic stroke 
from which he died. C: (IV) Minerva, Oliver, 
Infant. 

||. Barbara Fretz, youngest child of John and Maria 
Fretz, probably never married. 



CHRISTIAN FRETZ, 
BROTHER OF WEAVER JOHN. 



(Tinicum Branch) 



Christian Fretz, (brother of "Weaver" John), 
settled in Tinicum township Bucks Co. Pa., along the 
Tinicum Creek, at the place now known as Heane3''s 
Mill. The house stood on the opposite side of the 
road, a short distance from the present dwelling. 
The farm originally contained 140 acres, and is now 
divided into three tracts. The present house is of 
stone, built by his son Christian Fretz, and is now 
over one hundred years old. The homestead proper, 
with about 40 acres of the original tract, is owned 
and occupied by Joseph M. Hockman, a descendant 
of the pioneer Christian Fretz. Sixty-five acres was 
owned by the late Henry S. Wolfinger, and twenty- 
five acres by — Johnson. 

It is not known whom Christian Fretz married. 
All that is known is that her name was Elizabeth. 

Christian Fretz, Sr, made his Will January 22, 
1777, and was probated Apr. 26, 1784. He evident- 
ly died some time in the early part of 1784, probably 
in April of that year. 

The Will of Christian Fretz, Sr, reads as fol- 
lows, viz: — 

lu the Name of God, Amen. I, Christian Fretz, Senior of the 
Township of Tinicum in the County of Buclcs in the province of 
Pennsylvania, Yeoman, being weak of Body, but of sound and 
perfect Mind and Memorj', blessed be Almighty God for the same, 
considering the Uncertainty of this mortal Life, and that it is ap- 
pointed for all Men once to die, Do make and publish this my Last 
Will and Testameni in Manner and Form following, Imprimis, I be- 
queath my soul to God who gave it, and my body to the Earth, to be 
buried in a decent and Christian Manner, at the Discretion of my 
Executors hereinafter named; And as Vouching all my Goods and 
worldly Estate, wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this 
Life, I do give, devise, bequeath and dispose of the same as follows, 
that is to say, First, It is my Will and I do hereby order, that all 




PHILIP K. FRETZ 



—29— 

my just debts and funeral Expenses fhall be first and iir.mecliately 
paid; Item, I do give and bequeath unto my beloved Wife Elizabeth, 
all my Land and plantation with the House 6zc. where 1 now live to 
hold unto her during her natural Life, for her Support and Main- 
tenance, together with ten Bushels of Wheat, and ten Bushels of 
Kie out of my last years Crop, and also two good Milch Cows and 
<me breeding Mare, and all my Winter Crops now in the Ground, a 
Bed and Bedding, brass Kettle, four Chairs, Spinning Wheels & 
Keel, My Linen and Clock, My Chest <t Tables, Doe Trough, six 
bread Baskets, one Dozen Spoons, six pewter plates, two pewter 
Basons, an Iron Ladle, two Iron pans, an Iron Sto^•e that must be 
left in the House, a pesto] & mortiir, tea Kettle and tea pot with all 
My tea Cups and Sawsers, & Lamps, (fc Candlestii l<s, three Bottles, 
all my reading Books, two Ewe Sheep, pork and dried Beef as much 
as she wants for this season out of My Stock of Provisions laid in, a 
tin Strainer, a Sled, a plough and Hi.rn-w, a Waggon and Geers, 
four Cow Chains a Dung fork cV: Hook, a churn, a Cream pot and 
Milk pail and Milkpots, and wluit Salt is in my House, two Cedar 
washing Tubs, a side Saddle & Briddle, and all other of my house- 
hold Furniture that shall l)e ne( essary lor her own Use, during her 
natural Life and at her Decea^e, nil the foregoii'g Goods, shall be 
delivered to my Heirs, except such as worn out by long Use dec And 
further I do give unto her the Sum of Fifty ])ourids lawful Money of 
Pennsylvania, to be paid unto her by My Exec utors immediately 
after My Decease; Item. It is my \\ ill and I do hereby order and 
direct that after my Decease, in some Convenient and reasonable 
Time, My Executors shall sell all the remaining part of my Goods 
and Challets, which are not here i-et down and expressed, for the 
best price that can be gotten for them, and shall divide the Monies 
arising from such Sale, together with all other Goods or Monies be- 
longing to me; amongst my six Chilldren, viz, four Sons and two 
Daughters, each of the said six Children must have an equal Share 
as soon as the Money can be gotten or gathered in: And further it 
is my Will and I do hereby order that after my Wife Elizabeth, 
aforesaid, is dead, that then my Executors shall put up my Land in 
Tinnicura and home aforesaid, whereon she lived after my Decease, 
and shall sell the same Home and Land for the best price that can be 
gotten for the same, and also the Moveables, Goods & Challets 
which are mentioned above, and shall also divide the Monies arising 
from the Sale of all my saicl Land Goods and Challets, aforesaid, 
among mj- six Children, aforesaid, viz. My four Sons and two 
Daughters, all six of which each is to have an equal and just Share 
or part of such Monies: And 1 do hereby authorise and inipower 
My Executors hereafter named, to Sell my Land &c as in Manner 
aforesaid, and to give a good and Sufficient Title or Deed for the 
same to the purchasor of the said Land: And further be it remem- 
bered, that it is my Will and I do hereby order and direct, that in 
case it should so happen that my Wife Elizabeth above mentioned 
should marry another man after my Decease that then and in such 
Case She may live in my House and Occupy my Land, as is afore- 
said, or may Rent it out Year after Year during her natural Life 
And May be also intitled to receive the above said Legacy of Fifty 
Pounds but in no wise she must not receive, hold nor possess all or 
any of the Challets, Goods or household Effects which are mention- 
ed above as given unto her but shall deliver them all up to be Divid- 
ed among my Six Children Aforesaid: Item, it is my Will and I do 
hereby order and direct that Whereas I had Sold all m}' Land in 
Bedminster unto my Son Daniel for Six Hundred pounds to be paid 
Yearly by One Hundred pounds in each Year. Now I do hereby 
order that Yearly in each year as each Paj-ment becomes Due, my 



— 30— 

said Six Children, viz. Daniel, Abraham, Christian, Mark, Bar- 
bara, and Esther shall each of them have au equal 8hare or Part 
thereof every Year until the whole Sum be paid, and as the Receipt 
of such their Share or parts, shall execute Sufficient Releases or 
Acquittances unto my said Son Daniel for the said Land in Bedmins- 
ter aforesaid: And Lastly 1 do hereby Nominate, Constitute and 
appoint my beloved Son Daniel Fratz aforesaid of Bedminster, and 
my Son in Law Jacob Yoder of New Brittain Township in Bucks 
County in Pennsylvania aforesaid to be Joint Executors of this my 
last "Will and Testament, hereby revoking, disannulling and Dis- 
allowing of all all former and other Wills and Testaments by me 
heretofore made and Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to 
be my last Will and Testament, in Witness whereof I have hereun- 
to Set my Hand and Seal the Twenty Second Day of January in the 
Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven 
1777. Be it Remembered that Whereas my son Christian purchased 
of me one half of a Mill & about Five Acres of Land in Tinnicum 
Aforesaid for which he paid 40 £ in part and left the rest unpaid, 
this is therefore to Impower my Executors above mentioned to make 
the said Christian Fratz a good and Sufficient Title or Deed of Con- 
veyance for the said half ot a Mill and five Acres of Land when he 
shall have paid or other ways sold and Sufficiently Satisfied for the 
premises. 

Signed Sealed published and Declared his 

by the above named Christian Fratz | 

Senior to be his last Will and Testa- Christian — Fratz Senior 

ment in the presence of us who have - | .-^a— 

hereunto Subscribed our names as I — ■{ seal }■ 

witnesses in the presence of the said [ '— r-^ 

testator mark 

Edward Murphy 

Samuel Fretz 

Jacob Fretz 

The children in the order as given in the will are, Daniel, 
Abraham, Christian, Mark, Barbara, Esther. 

||. Daniel Fretz, b about 1738, m Mary, (maiden 
name unknown). But little is known of this Daniel 
Fretz. 

In 1800 most of his children emigrated to West- 
moreland Co. Pa. , where many of his descendants 
still live. There are also some of his descendants 
living in Fayette Co. Pa. and in other parts of the 
west. In 1 840 the name was changed from Fretz to 
Fretts. One son and daughter remained, and d in 
Bucks Co. Pa. C: Christian, Eve, Daniel, Jacob, 
Samuel, Lisbet. 

III. Christian Fretz, b about 1761, d in Westmore- 
land Co. Pa. Apr. 5, 1849, m Agnes Overholt, dau. 
of Henry and Anna (Beitler) Overholt. Farmer, 
and Mennonite. He was blind for a number of 
years before his death. C: (IV) John, Henry, 
Daniel, Mary, Anna, Christian. 



—31 — 

III. Eve Fretz, b Nov. 27, 1766, (d), ra Peter 
Dinstman. Lived and died in Bucks Co. Pa. C: 
(IV) Elizabeth, Mary, Nannie. 

III. Daniel Fretz, b in 1776 or 1777, d in 1842, in 
Bucks Co. Pa., m Margaret Svvartz. No issue. He 
m second wife Barbara Hockman. C: (|V) Maria. 

III. Jacob Fretz, b July 20, 1778, d Nov. 18, 1853, 
ra Mary Mumaw, of Lancaster Co. Pa. She dSept. 
9, i86g. Moved to Westmoreland Co. Pa. in iSoo; 
and in 1806, purchased and settled on a farm in 
Fayette Co. Pa., where they both died. C: (|Y) 
Mary, Daniel, Andrew, Infant, Barbara, Jacob, 
John, Annie, David, Catharine. 

III. Samuel Fretz, d— without issue. 

III. Elizabeth Fretz, b about 1782, m a German, 
by name of Frik. Settled in Indiana, where they d 
without issue. 

||. Abraham Fretz, (son of Christian Fretz, of 
Tinicum), b as early as 1745, or before that date, m 
Dorothea Kulp.* In 1775 he purchased a farm in 
Bedminster Tvvp. consisting of 224 acres of Alex- 
ander Brown, who purchased it from Richard and 
Thomas Penn, (Governors and Esqs), in 1758. 
The farm is now divided into four farms, owned and 
occupied as follows: Jacob F. Hockmon on the 
north; Levi Hockman on the northeast; and An- 
thony R. Fretz and Quincy A. Fretz on the .south- 
west. It is quite probable that Abraham Fretz and 
wife were among the early worshipers of the Menn- 
onite church at Deep Run, and were buried there. 
C: Judith, Elizabeth, Henry, Joseph, Esther, 
Anna, Barbara. 

III. Judith Fretz, b Oct. 2, 1767, d Nov. 7, 1847, 
m John Meyer, (his second wife), July 3, 1788. He 
djuly 10, 1814. They lived on a farm on the Dur- 
ham road, S. E. of Pipersville. Menu. C: (|V) 
Abraham, John, Christian, Joseph, Jacob, Chris- 
tian, William, Dorothea, Samuel, Isaac. 

*]t is rather remarkable that the three brothers, Abraham, Mark, 
and Christian Fretz, married three sisters, viz: Dorothea, Ger- 
trude, and Judith Kulp; and a couoin John Fretz of the Bedminster 
Branch who emigrated to Canada, married Mary Kulp, also a sister 
of the above. 



—32— 

III. Elizabeth Fretz, b in 1768, (d), m Henry 
Stover. Lived in Springfield Twp. C: (JV) Abra- 
ham, Catharine, Barbara, Elizabeth. 

III. Henr}- Fretz, b about 1770 or 177 1, m Barbara 
Fretz, daughter of Christian and Barbara (Ober- 
holtzer) Fretz, of Bedminster, about 1791 or 1702. 
C: (IV) Catharine, Anna. 

III. Joseph Fretz, b in Bucks Co. Pa. about 1772, d 
Oct. 1843. He purchased the homestead of his 
father, June 7, 1814. He was four times married. 
First wife, Mary Kratz. C: (|V) Henry, John, 
Abraham. Second wife. Elizabeth Kratz. C: (|Y) 
Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth. Third wife, Magdalena 
Delp. C: (IV) Susan, Sarah, Catharine, Veronica. 
Fourth wife, Mary Reiff. No issue. Menn. 

III. Esther Fretz, b Sept. 20, 1774, d Mar. 2, 
1838, m Henry Myers Oct. 25, 1798. He was b 
Oct. 10, 1774; dSept. 19, 1823. Farmer, Menn. C: 

(IV) Joseph, Jonas, Catharine, Rachel, , 

Abraham, Ephraim. 

III. Anna Fretz, d unmarried. 

III. Barbara Fretz, bin 1778, d Feb. 5, 1852, m 
Philip Kaisinger Sept. 18, 1799. He d Dec. 19. 
1845. Farmer, Menn. C: (|V) Joseph, Lizzie, 
John, Abraham, Charles, Susan, Rachel, Hannah, 
Samuel, Jonas. 

II. Christian Fretz, (son of Tinicum Christian 
Fretz), b in Bucks Co. Pa., d there, m Judith Kulp. 
He lived on the Old Homestead in Tinicum, where 
he followed the vocation of farmer and miller. He 
built the stone house on the homestead, which is 
now over a hundred years old; still in good repair, 
and occupied as a dwelling. C: Judith, Christian, 
John, Henry. 

III. Judith Fretz, bjan. 5, 1774, d June 19, 1851, 
m George Wagner. Farmer and shoemaker. C: 
(IV) Henry, John, Elizabeth, Anna, Catharine, 
George, Rebecca. 

II!. Christian Fretz, b in Bucks Co. Pa., (d), m 
Mary Stover. Farmer and miller. He and his 
brother John, together, purchased a farm and mill 
iu Nockamixon Twp. Christian run the mill and 



> 




> 




^yo 



John farmed. After the death of their father. Chris- 
tian sold his interest in the farm and mill to his bro- 
ther, and moved to the old homestead in Tinicum, 
where he died about 1840. Menn. C: (JY) Anna, 
Henry, Elizabeth, John, Christian, Mary, Joseph, 
Jacob, Susan, Samuel. 

III. John Fretz, m Annie Stover. Farmer and mil- 
ler in Nockamixon Tvvp. He lived to the age of 
about 50 years, and died without issue. 

III. Henry Fretz, d aged about 20 years. 

jj. Mark Fretz, b in Tinicum Twp' Bucks Co, Pa., 
m Gertrude Kulp Dec. 22, 1772. He lived in Tin- 
icum Tvvp. near the Durham road on a farm of 200 
or more acres. The tract now comprises of three 
farms owned by Jacob Steely, (where the homestead 
buildings were), Levi Yost, and Reuben Heaney. 
C: Anthony, Judith, Elizabeth, Mary, Gertrude. 
Mark m second wife, Mary, widow of Abraham 
Fretz, (son of Weaver John), Sept. 26, 1780. C: 
Anna. 

III. Anthony Fretz, b Feb. i, 1774, d Jan. 26, 
1856, m Margaret Wismer Apr. 16, 1795. She d 
July 23, 1822. He m second wife, a Quaker lady. 
He lived on a farm of 60 acres at the "Old Burnt 
Mill," in Plumstead Twp., where he carried on 
farming and milling. He was known as "Lame 
Anthony," or "One Legged Anthony," having re- 
ceived an injury to one of his legs b}'' a scythe or 
cradle, making amputation necessary. Children all 
by first wife. (|V) Samuel, Anna, Mary, Mark, 
Elizabeth, Joseph, Catharine. 

III. Judith Fretz, b Mar. 5, 1775, d in 1S26; m 
Mathias Dinstraan Nov. 24, 1794. Shoemaker, far- 
mer and minister. They moved to Westmoreland 
Co. Pa., where they settled for a time, and finally 
moved to Columbiana Co. Ohio., where they died. 
He was a minister of the Mennonite church. C: (|V) 
Abraham, Elizabeth, Isaac, Anna, Barbara. 

III. Elizabeth Fretz, b June 20, 1776, d Sept. 7, 
1867, m Henry Leatherman Sept. 6, 1797. He d 
Apr. 18, 1815. Farmer, Menn. C: (|V) Abra- 
ham, John, Jacob, Henry, Catharine, Samuel. 



—34— 

III. Mary Fretz, b Apr. ii, 1778, (d), m Henry 
Dinstman. Farmer and teamster. They moved to 
Westmoreland Co. Pa. Menn. C: (|V) Nancy, 
Mark. 

ill. Gertrude Fretz, b May 9, 1780, m Abraham 
Leatherman Nov. 25, 1800. He was b Oct. i, 1776. 
Farmer, Menn. C: (|V) Anna, Mary, Philip, 
Elizabeth, Jacob. 

III. Anna Fretz, b Dec. 19, 1781, d Apr. 24, 1807, 
m Isaac Oberholtzer Apr. 5, 1804. He was b Feb. 
1774, d Apr. 25, 1858. Farmer, Menn. C: (|V) 
William, Joseph. 

II . Barbara Fretz, m Jacob Yoder, and lived in 
New Britain Twp. Descendants not traced. 

||. Esther Fretz, b in Bucks Co. Pa. about 1748, d 
in Tuscarawas Co. Ohio Feb. 1813, m Martin Over- 
holt, son of Martin and Agnes Oberholtzer of Bed- 
minster. He was b in Bucks Co. Pa. Dec. 20, 1743, 
d in Westmoreland Co. Pa. Mar. 1811. In early life 
they lived in Tinicum Twp. Bucks Co. Pa. within 
half a mile or so of the Delaware river. It is said 
that in the time of the Revolution, not being friendly 
to the war, and being loyal to the King, that he 
with others of the family went to Canada, but not 
liking the climate he returned and emigrated to West- 
ern Pennsylvania, settling at Alverton in Westmore- 
land Co. on the farm owned bj' the late Mrs. Agnes 
(Stauffer) Fox, a great grand-daughter. 

About 1 810 Martin Overholt made a trip to Ohio 
and selected land in Coshocton and Tuscarawas coun- 
ties, intending to move there — but six weeks before 
he and family were ready to start, "King's Evil" 
(cancer), came on his neck from which he bled three 
days and nights, causing his death. He made his 
will Jan. 14, iSii, which was recorded Mar. 2, 1811. 
After his death his widow and all the family except 
the daughter Agnes Stauffer moved to Ohio, Dover 
Twp. Tuscarawas Co., where the widow, Esther, 
and several of the children died during an epidemic 
of spotted fever. There was a large family of child- 
ren born to them; the youngest, Anna, born when 
the mother, Esther, was 55 years old. C: Elizabeth, 



—35— 

Agnes, Christian, Henry, Mary, Barbara, Magda- 
lena, Martin, Abraham, Isaac, Esther, Sarah, 
Joseph, Anna. 

III. Elizabeth Overholt, b in Bucks Co. Pa. about 
1770, (d), m Rev. Abraham Weltz. He was b in 
Penna,, d near Canal Dover, Ohio, about 1831. 
Farmer and minister of the Mennonite church. C: 
(lY) Martin, John, Abraham, Christian, Jacob, 
EHzabeth, Esther, Anna, Sarah. 

III. Agnes Overholt, bin Bucks Co. Pa. 1773, din 
Westmoreland Co. Pa. June 14, 1845, m Christian 
Stauffer. He was b in Lancaster Co. Pa. 1778, d 
in Fayette Co. July 6, 1852. They remained in 
Westmoreland Co. Pa., and lived on the Martin 
Overholt farm at Alverton. Menu. C: (|Y) Annie, 
Esther, Elizabeth, Christian, Abraham, Mary, 
Sarah. 

III. Christian Overholser, b in Bucks Co. Pa. Aug. 

1774, d in Harrison Co. Ohio, about 1840, m Re- 
becca Grundy (Von Grundy). She was b June 2, 

1775, d in Stark Co. O. Feb. 7, 1857. Menu. C: 
(IV) Joseph, Martin, John, Esther, Fannie, Re- 
becca, Anna. 

III. Henry Overholt, d single. 

III. Mary Overholt, (d), m Christian Noffzinger. 
C: (IV) Martha, Christiana, John, Robert, Mary, 
Hetty. 

III. Barbara Overholt, b in Bucks Co. Pa. about 
1775-6; d in Tuscarawas Co. Ohio, Jan. 16, 1813, m 
Rev. Mathias Burchfield. He d in Tuscarawas Co. 
Ohio, Mar. 16, 1822. They were married in West- 
moreland Co. Pa., and removed to Ohio about the 
time her mother came. He was a farmer, but be- 
came a United Brethren minister, preaching in Ger- 
man, and had a church on his own farm. 

It is said that Mathias Burchfield preached in 
the German language, but that he was of Scotch 
descent; his father and brother having come over 
from Scotland and settled in Pennsylvania. C: (IV) 
Esther, Elizabeth, John, Martin, Barbara, Anna, 
Sarah, Mary. 

HI. Magdalena Overholt, b in Bucks Co. Pa., din 



-36- 

AdamsCo Ind., m John Mumma. He was b in 
Westmoreland Co. Ohio, d in Adams Co. Ind Far- 
mer, M Bch. C:(|Y) Martin, Barbara. George 

m:^ J:fher. ^'''"'^"' ^^^^^""^' ^^-^-; 

III. Martin Overholt, b in Bucks Co. Pa. 1784 d 
Feb. 14, 1 814 m Barbara Conrad Oct. 1806. She 
was b 1785, (d). Farmer, Luth. C: (|V) Jacob 
Abraham, Elizabeth, Esther, Martin ' 

III. Abraham Overholt, b in Bucks Co. Pa d in 
Tuscarawas Cck Ohio m Susan Crites. Farm'er, ch 

t^ % .?•■ ^^V J°^"' Catharine, Abraham, Eliza- 
beth, Esther, Anna, Martin, Isaac, Jacob, Chris- 
Ill. Isaac Overholt, d single. 
III. Esther Overholt, d single. 
III. Sarah Overholt, b in Bucks Co. Pa Apr 17 
1791. d m Ohio Dec. 3. 1857, m Philip Welty ' Jan.' 

L ni.- c ""'f ^ '" ^^' ^^y 2' ^789, d near Wil- 
mot, Ohio, Sept. 11, 1848. Mrs. Welty was a noble 

woman and was much esteemed by all that knew 
her. During her husband's absence at night when 
off on a journey— bears and wolves would be her 
nightly visitors, and with only a shawl for a door 
they wou d push it aside and walk to her bed which 
would waken her, and then came the battle for the 
right of property. She had frequently been treed by 
wolves. She was an expert climer. C: CIV) Esther 
John, Isaac, Eliza, Mary. ^"^ ' 

III. Joseph Overholt, b in Bucks Co. Pa. June 10 
V?it 1 ^^ ^"^tington, Ind. Feb. 1873. m Barbara,' 
Kline Apr. 13. 1817. She was b at Glades, Pa 
May 16, 1797, d 1870. 

. It is related that Mr. Overholt, on a certain oc- 
casion, took a grist to the mill and wished it ground 
at once so he could take it home with him, which 
the millers declined to do, whereupon Mr. Overholt 
said: If you don't grind it right away, I will put 
something m the mill that has eyes as big as pewter 

oitf ' T.'" ^'""^ V"" ?y' ^'^ §^"^t ^^« ground at 
iZt T f'r^J- ^/''"- C-" Abraham, Elizabeth, 
Jonas, Joseph, John, Jacob, Margaret, Mary, Isaac 



—37— 

|[|. Anna Overholt, b Apr. 8, 1S02, d Jan. 15, 
1S39. She was the youngest, and her mother was 
55 years old when Anna was born. She m Gabriel 
Weimer in 1822. He was b in Somerset Co. Pa. 
May 13, I So I, d Feb. 12, 1876. In early life he 
was a saddler by trade. After marriage he settled 
in Canal Dover, Ohio, where he cast his first vote 
for Jackson. He held various township offices for 
over 20 years, and at one time w^as urged to be a 
candidate for the Legislature, but refused. He was 
a. firm opposer of slavery, and lived to rejoice over 
its downfall. He was a great friend of education, 
giving his children a liberal course of instruction. 
He was a faithful member of the United Brethren 
church for over 50 years, and was a trustee of Otter- 
bein University. His house was a welcome home 
for the weary itinerant for many years. He was a 
most liberal patron of the church, and assisted in 
building many churches, and gave largely to church 
benevolences. His religious views were firm, having 
a clear evidence of his acceptance with Christ, and 
held tenaciously to this hope to the end. C: Sarah, 
Elias, Susan, Louisa. Josiah, Orlando, Caroline, 
Sybilla. 



DESCENDANTS OF JACOB FRETZ. 



n tt v,V "> """".T^^'P- ^"^ksCo. Pa., and was buried 
m the vicinity of Coopersburg. He is supposed to 
have emigrated from SM'itzerland. Nothing is known 
of his ancestry. There is an old family Bible 
brought from Europe, now in possession of h?s 

HsheH^Ti. r^ ^'^'^'' family, which was pub- 
lished at Basle m 1720. It was bound in old style 
Boards and Leather, but unfortunately, it havin^ 
gone through three fires and two freshets, all sign? 

^'.H?-Tn^"K^ ^^^^''^^y ^^^ l^^^t letter could be 
made intelligible is obliterated. Otherwise it is in 
good condition. Jacob Fretz was a member of the 
Mennonite church. He had only one child; a son, 

II Jacob Fretz, b in Bucks Co. Pa. Mar. 15, 1793, 

^. f« ^ 'n^^\J^ Elizabeth Gehman. She d Nov. 

u^fp FH ?\i^V^^- ^^'°"' °^^^^- H^ °^ second 
viife, Elizabeth Dnesback, May 19, 1829. She d 

^ZrJ' l^^^-.^'- ^"^^^' Catharine, Matilda. 
Rebecca. Amanda. He m third wife, Elizabeth 
Keiter, m 1845. She d in 1854. He lived in Upper 
Saucon and Allen Twps. Northampton Co. Pa., and 
led a checkered life as farmer, stage driver and 

aborer He was a member of the Ger. Ref. and 
laterof the Ev. Assn. ch 

III. Mary Fretz. b July 17, 1821. m Daniel Ritter 
KiLh /i. -^'a ^^Ass'"- C: (IV) Eavina, Sarah, 
Matfld". ri. ''"^^' Kmanuel, John, Drusilla, 

I n A ' Thomas. Jane, William, Owen. 

III. Aaron Fretz, b Aug. 17, 1823, m Sarah Holy 
Nov. 19 1842. Farmer near Kreidersville, Pa. 
Ev. Assn. C: (|V) William. Amanda. Calvin, 
John, Alvesta, Wesley. 




AUSTIN COAT OF ARMS 



—39 — 

1i|. David Fretz, b in Bucks Co. Pa. Oct. 24, 1825, 
d Nov. 26, 1883; m Susie, daughter of John P. Beil, 
Jan. 1 , 1852. David Fretz was one of the best known 
citizens of the western end of the county in which he 
lived and died. David's first employment from 
home was on the farm of his afte. wards father-in-law 
John P. Beil. Before becoming of age he entered 
the Mercantile establishment of Joseph and Samuel 
Lauback, with which firm the greater part of his 
life was spent. He was for a short time superin- 
tendant of the Rolling Mill at FuUerton. He also 
served as School director for two terms, and the 
schools of his township owe very much to his efforts. 
For 16 years he was president of the Hokendauqua 
Bridge Company' , and was a director of the com- 
pany almost from its foundation. He was a member 
and an Elder of the Reformed ch. at Howertown. 
His activity in religious, political, and business 
matters, made him known to a large circle of friends; 
and his unostentatious ways, and many kind acts 
during his life caused pangs of regret on the occasion 
of his death. Such men when they die are a public 
loss. C: (IV) Alvin, William, Mary, Peter, Emma, 
Clara, Alice, Thomas, David. 

III. James Fretz, b Apr. i, 1830, m Caroline 
Grube Feb. 2, 1851. Teamster, ' Luth. C: (IY) 
Mary, Josiah, Eliza, Rosa, James, Maggie, Pres- 
ton, Emma, Ida, Ella, Carry. 

III. Catharine Fretz, b Jan. 3, 1833, m Jacob 
Kratzer Sept. 10, 1850. Farmer, Ger. Ref. ch. C: 
(IY) Isaiah, Sarah, Margaret, Theodore, Elizabeth, 
Mary, E — , Oril, Cora, Bertha. 

Hi. Matilda Fretz, b Feb. 28, 1836, m Michael 
Zeigenfuss Feb. 22, 1856. He was b Nov. 27, 1835. 
Watchman — Bethlehem Iron Co. Luth. C: (|V) 
Anna, Jeremiah, Henry, John, Amos, William, 
Amanda, Elmira, Charles, 

III. Rebecca Fretz, m Henry Kratzer. • 

III. Amanda Fretz, m Wm. Patterson. 



DESCENDANTS OF HENRY FRETZ. 



. Henrj-Fretz, b about 1740, d at about 70 years 
ot age. He was probably a pioneer emigrant - but 
nothing IS known of his ancestry. He was either a 
Miller or Fuller by trade, and owned property along 
one of the streams in either western Bucks Co or 
southern Lehigh Co. The buildings burned down 
and ruined him almost wholly, so that he had onlv 
a small property at the time of his death, located in 
Lehigh Co. near the line of Berks, and near Seasholtz- 
ville, in the latter Co. C: John. Henry, Abraham 
Joseph. Jacob. Daniel, and two daughters 
11 . John Fretz went west and was lost sight of 
li. Henry Fretz is said to have been a preacher 
located somewhere in the eastern part of Pa 

II. Abraham Fretz. (d). m Oberholtzer 

Shoemaker. He accidently cut an artery in his les 

Addis'^on '^''^^' ^'' ^^^'^^''' ^^«^y. Christian. 

III. Matilda Fretz. m Ettinger. C- riV^ 

Abraham, Lizzie, Annie. • viw y 

III. Henry Fretz. bin Berks Co. Pa., m Clarissa 

EdS '" ''''■ ^^''^^" ""■ ^'V^ J--«' J-"' 
Al'len^ Kat" ^''''' ^"^^ ""■ ^'^^ ^^^^' ''^' 

dli'a Co'tZ^'^'^' ^"^- ^^^^' ^" ^^--' ^- 

A;r--^°A???I'^''^^^'^^^°"^ '776, d about 1823. m 
a Miss Miller. One child: Elizabeth. He m second 
wife. Maria Shoup^ C: Reuben, Daniel, Christina, 
Anna. Solomon, Rebecca, Jonathan. Barbara, Ben- 
jamin, John. 
III. Elizabeth Fretz died young 



III. Reuben Fretz. b in Berks Co. Pa. in 1804 
Catharine Freir. C: (|V) Jonas, Mary, Constant 



m 




JOHN A. FAKREN. 



—41 — 

ill- Daniel Fretz, b in Berks Co. Pa. Dec. 1805, d 
May 30, 1880, m Hester Nestor. Farmer. C: iJV) 
Dr. Abraham, Lewis, Anna, Irwin, Priscilla, Han- 
nah. 

ill. Christira Fretz, b about 1807, d 18S2, m Amos 
Keppner. C: (|V) Mary. 

III. Anna Maria Fretz, b about 1808, d about 1877, 
m Charles Scheidt. C: (IV) Mary, Amelia. 

III. Solomon Fretz, b Sept, 15, 1810, m Sarah 
Fink. Resides in Clarion Co. Pa. C: (|V) Mary, 
Rebecca, Joseph. 

III. Rebecca Fretz, b about 1812, d 1903, m George 
Mull. No issue. She m second husband, John 
Jones. C: (|V) Mary. 

III. Jonathan Fretz, b Sept. 6, 1814, d 1901, m 
Mary Blean Sept. 11, 1842. She d Nov. 1888. Far- 
mer in Bucks Co. Pa. Ev. Ass'n. C: (|V) Sarah, 
Dr. Milton, William, John, Lewis, Mary, Aaron. 

III. Benjamin Fretz, b Aug. 9, 1819, d Sept. 26, 
1847, m Catharine Weis. (|V) Onechild, d young. 

lij. Barbara Ann Fretz, b Oct 29. 1821, d 1903, m 
Enos Beidler Apr 28,1848 He d Dec 23. 1869. 
C: (IV) Henry, John, Lewis, Emma. 

III. John Fretz, b Nov. 19, 1822, d Aug. 19, 1850. 

II . Jacob PVetz, d near Seasholtzville, Berks Co. 
Pa., m . C: Jacob, etc. 

III. Jacob Fretz, (m). Lived and died in Broom- 
fieldville, Berks Co. Pa., where some of his children 
live. 

||. Daniel Fretz, m — Neinmyer. Moved to Ind- 
iana. C: Enos. 

III. Enos Fretz. 

||. Fretz, m Henry Hunsberger. Buried at 

Huff's ch. Berks Co. She left three children. 

||. Fretz, m Henry Barnett; lived and died 

near Jenkintown, Pa. 



DESCENDANTS OF JOHN FRETZ. 



|. John Fretz, b Feb. 8, 1749, d Aug. 30, 1815, ro 
Magdalena Fox of Pa. She was b Apr. i, 1748, d 
Sept. 23, 1820. Wheelwright, joiner and M'f'r. of 
Fanning Mills. He is supposed, by his descendants, 
to have emigrated from Switzerland. He settled near 
Manhein, Lancaster Co. Pa., where probably all his 
children were born. In 1800 he emigrated to Wel- 
land Co. Canada with all his family except his daugh- 
ter Barbara and son Daniel. They were six 
weeks on the journey to Canada, taking their live 
stock with them. At night bells were put on the 
horses and cattle and they were turned out to pas- 
lure. After milking, the milk was put into the 
churn, which was fastened to the hinder part of the 
wagon, and their butter was churned as they proceed- 
ed. On the 12th of June they crossed the Niagara 
river on a raft. They swam the horses and cattle 
across. They vv-ere assisted in crossing by friendly 
IndiaiiS. They settled in the township of Bertie, 
Welland Co. Ont. on a tract of about 400 acres, on 
which he built a log house. A burying ground was 
laid out on his property, in which he and wife were 
buried, and is still used as a burial place by his de- 
scendants. The old family Bible published at Zurich, 
Switzerland, in 1539, and brought from Germany 
is, with other old relics, in the possession of his 
great grandson Jacob Fretz of Fenwick, Ont. C.- 
Barbara, Abraham, Daniel, Jacob, Peter, Francis, 
Mary. 

i|. Barbara Fretz, bjune 8, 1771, djune 29, 1829, 
ra Abraham Winger. Remained for a time in Pa., 
and later emigrated to Canada and settled near her 
father. Farmer, Dunkards. C: Abraham, John, 
Magdalena, Fannie, Barbara, Nancy, Susan. 



||. Abraham Fretz, b Dec. lo, 1773. d j'oung. 

i|. Daniel Fretz, b Aug. 3, 1776, d Aug. 16, 1864, 
m Jemima Sullivan about 1800. Her ancestors came 
from Scottland. She vv^as b Jan. 20, 1780, d Oct. 9, 
1840. Lived all his life on a small farm of 12 acres 
adjoining the old Homestead near Manhein, Pa. 
M'f'g. of Fanning Mills, Corn shellers and cutting 
boxes. He was also an undertaker. In 1804 he 
was ordained a minister, and in 1840, Bishop of the 
Ger. Bap. ch. C: Esther, John, Daniel, Catharine, 
Veronica, Samuel. 

||. Jacob Fretz, b in Lane, Co. Pa. June 3, 1779, ^ 
Jan. 25, 1850, m Barbara Sherk. She d Jan. 11, 
1839. In 1800 Jacob went with his parents to Cana- 
da — riding a bay horse of his own. While assisting 
in building a log house for his parents, he had the 
misfortune to break his leg while felling a tree; and 
which not having been properly set, made him a 
cripple. He afterwards cut his other leg and became 
lame in that also. During the war of 1S12, he and 
his team were pressed into the army to move stores 
and ammunition. Farmer and wheelwright. Menn. 
C: John, Samuel, Jemima, Frances, Magdalena, 
Barbara, Elizabeth, , Catharine, Mary. 

!|. Peter Fretz, b Feb. 28, 1781 in Pa., d Oct. 31, 
[864, m Mary Zavitz. She was b Sept. 16, 1783, d 
Sept. 23, 1863. Emigrated to Welland Co. Ont. in 
1800. Farmer, Dunkards. C: Elizabeth, Daniel, 
Maria, Esther, Solomon, Jonas. 

||. Frances Fretz, b Dec. 12, 1784, d Mar. 3, 18 10, 
m John Sherk, of Welland Co. Ont. Farmer. C: 
Daniel, Esther. 

II. Mary Fretz, b Sept. 25, 1788, d Oct. 16, 1839, 
m Joseph Sherk. Lived in Welland Co. Ont. C: 
Chrystal, Regina, Frances, Ehzabeth, Catharine, 
Annie, Mary, Barbara, Christena, Andrew, Joseph. 



See Fretz History for more complete records of descendants of 
John Fretz. 



DESCENDANTS OF BARBARA FRETZ. 



I. Barbara Fretz, (d), 1814, m Rev. Abraham 
Longenecker. He d July 23. 1823. Barbara Fretz 
IS supposed to have been a sister to John Fretz of 
Lancaster Co., and later of Welland Co. Ont Mr 
Longenecker and wife were members of the Menno' 
mte church, of which he was a prominent minister 
Iheir descendants live principally in Lancaster, Dau- 
phia and Lebanon counties. Pa. C: Jacob Abra 
ham Daniel, Elizabeth, Veronica, Barbara, Peter 
II. Jacob Longenecker, b May 16, 1774, d Nou. 30. 
1856, m Barbara Buck. She was b 1781, d isL 
Farmer, Dunkard. C: John, Abraham, Christian! 
Jacob, Barbara. Samuel, Elizabeth, Veronica 
Catharme. 

II. Abraham Longenecker, m Esther Overholtzer 
C: Isaac, Magdaleua, Mary. 

II. Daniel Longenecker, b Dec. 3, 1778, d Oct 6 
1822, m Anna Oberholtzer. She was b Feb 28* 
1783, d Dec. 7, 1842. Farmer, Menu. C- Chris- 
tian, Joseph, Mary. 

II. Elizabeth Longenecker, m Christian Witmer 
No issue. ' 

II. Veronica Longenecker, b Apr. 8, 1789, d Aue 
9, 1863, m Samuel Oberholtzer in 1809. He was 
bMar. 12, 178-, d 1854. Farmer, Menu. C- 
John, Jacob, Samuel, Peter, Joseph, Christian, 
John, Elizabeth. 

II. Barbara Longenecker, b Nov. 4, 1792 d Mar 
24, 1 86 1, m Isaac Eshelman in 1821. Blacksmith 
and farmer Ger. Bap. C: Joseph. Jacob, Isaac. 
Henry, Abraham, John, David, Peter 

i'o/^^^S.^^"^^"^^!^^^' t> July 12, 1795, d Sept. 26, 
[882, m Catharine Eshelman Nov. 4, 1817 She 
wash May 27, 1798 d June 13. 1864. Carpenter; 
Ger. Bap. C: Susanna, Elizabeth, Barbara, 
George, Catharine. Mary, Anna, Veronica. 

For more complete records of Barbara [Fretzl Lon2:enerkpr'« 
descendaute see Fretz Family History. "' ^^^S^^^ckar s 



P 



o 




g 








ADDENDA. 



Marriage of Sarah Virginia Vliet. great great graud-daughter 
of III. Agnes [Fretz] Bewighouse. (See page 18). 

VIT. Sarah Virginia Vliet, b Mav 17, 1879, m Thomas K.Lenz June 
7, 1903. HewasbatSt. Mary's,'EllcCo. Pa. Apr. 19, 1878. Res. 
170.5 Willington St. Philadelphia, Pa. 

Biographical Sketch of Jacob H. Krout, son of A. F. K. Krout, 
A. M. Ph. D., and great grandson of III. Martin Fretz. [See 
page 19]. 

VI. Jacob Henry Krout, b at Maiulaml, Montgomery Co. Pa. May 
16, 1874. By direct lineage he is Jacob IV. and also Henry 1\ .of 
his American ancestry at '^ Deep Run, Bedminster Twp. Bucks Co. 
Pa. In his early life he resided in Coplay, Lehish Co. Pa.; attendea 
the public schools and graduated from the High School in that 
Borough. In 1890 he accepted the position of weighmaster 
and timekeeper for the Coplay Iron Company. In the fall of 18J1 
he was one of the teachers in Whitehall Twp. Lehigh Co. In the 
sprino- of 1S92 he entered the Junior class of the Bloomsburg State 
Normal School and Literary Institute, Bloomsburg, Pa-— grad- 
uating with class honors in the spring of 189.3. In 189.3 to 18.(4 he 
taught in Rucks Co., and in 1894 to 1'89.5 he taught the Grammer 
school at Coplay. Durine vacation periods and the intervening 
years between 189.5 and 1899, he has been connected with commer- 
cial houses in Philadelphia in various capacities. He graduated 
from Union Commercial College, Philadelphia, in 1897. 

Upon the organization of the Philadelphia Division of the Phila- 
delphia and Reading Railway Company, at Philadelphia, Aug. lbJ9, 
he accepted a position in the Reading Terminal Buildmg, 12th. and 
Market Streets, Philadelphia, and is still, [1904], with the Company, 
holding a responsible financial position. He is a member of the 
Presbyterian church. Broad and Diamond Streets, Philadelphia- 
having served the church and Sunday School in various official re- 
lations. He is registered as a Student-at-law at the Philadelphia Bar 
and a member of the Law Academy, Philadelphia. Member ol 
Philadelphia Lodge No. 13. I. O. O. F., Odd Fellows Temple, Phila- 
delphia, and various organizations. Res. Glenolden, Pa. 

DESCENDANTS OF III. ABRAHAM FRETZ. 

(See page 26). 

IV. Jacob Fretz, b Apr. 2.5, 1816, d Dec. 16, 1893, m Susan Bergy 
Jan. 1837. Carpenter and farmer. C: Mary, Abraham, Susan, 
Jacob, Sarah, William. . 

V. Mary Ann Fretz, b Feb. 12, 1837, m John M. Smith. No issue. 
She m second husband, Peter D. Hedrick. No issue. 



-46- 

V. Abraham H. Fretz, b Nov. 30, ISIO, m Mary A. Hendricks. 
Shed 1880. C: (IV) Elizabeth, Henry, Joseph, William, Mary. 
He m second wife, Susanna R. Rickert. C: (VI) Sarah, Ellen, Ida, 
Emma, David. 

V. Susan Fretz, b Apr. 10, 1843, d Aug. 21, 1887, m Christian G. 
Musseliman. Was killed in 1874. Had issue. 

V. Sarah Fretz, b Mar. 10, 184fi, m David Heavner Jan. 20, 1872. 
No issue. 

V. Jacob B. Fretz, b July 11, 18.51. S. 

V. William B. Fretz, b Mar. 29, 18.58, m Mary E. Roseuberger Nov. 
27,1870. Tinsmith; minister of Ger. Bap. ch. No issue. 
IV. Barbara Fretz, b Dec. 1.5, 1817, d July 4, 1890, m Samuel Fell- 
man. Four children d single, and one, (V) Henry Fellman, m 
Catharine Bean. 

IV. Henry B. Fretz, b Aug. 14, 1821, d May 6, 1903, m Barbara 
Rosen berger Oct. 9, ]842. Farmer, Menn. C: Sarah, Abraham, 
Susanna, Sylvester, Mary, James. 

V. Sarah Ann Fretz, b Nov. 29, 1844, m James Garis Mar. 21, 1874. 
Luth. C: (VI) Pearson Garis, b 187.5, d 1875. Mary E. Garis, b 
1881, d 1882. Warren Garis, b 1877, d 1898. Sylvester Garis, b 
Mar. 10, 1883. 

V. Abraham Joseph Fretz, b Apr. 9, 1847, m Mary Handle. She d 
Feb. 1, 1873. C: Franklin, William. He m second wife, Susan A. 
Yoder, Jan.24, 1874. Shed Jan. 21, 1891. C: Ephraim, Laura, 
Cora, Malinda, Martha, Bertha. He m third wife, Mrs. EmelineJ, 
(Newhart) Gilbert, Nov. 15. 1892. She was b Sept. 27, 1857. Res. 
2.5.50 North 7th. St., Philadelphia, Pa. Manager for A. H. Fretz, 
dealer in Brewers' Grains. C: Barbara, Elnora. 

VI. Franklin H. Fretz, b July 2, 1869, d June 26, 1895. 

VI. William H. Fretz, b July 7, 1872, m Margaret Innis Oct. 21, 

1891. Presby. C: (VII) William Wilson Fretz. b Dec. 31, 1892. 

Charles Franklin Fretz, b Nov. 4, 1894. Robert Innis Fretz, b Sept. 

10, 1896. 

VI. Ephraim Y. Fretz, b Dec. 23, 1874, m Susan H. Benner Oct. 
27, 1898. Menn. C: (VII) Abraham B. Fretz, b May 3, 1900. 
Walter B. Fretz, b Sept. 10, 1901. Irma B. Fretz, b Dec. 12, 1903. 

VI. Laura Y. Fretz, b Sept. 21, 1876, d Apr. 22, 1900, m Orlando 
L. Rice Mar. 14, 1890. C: (VII) Orlando Rice, b and d Apr. 19, 
1900. 

VI. Cora Y. Fretz, b Oct. 12, 1877, d Feb. 8, 1902, m John G. Bell 
Sept. 21, 1900. C: [VII] Elsie Bell, still born. 

VI. Malinda Y. Fretz, b May 30, 1880, m Jacob A. Detweiler Nov. 
15, 1902. 

VI. Martha Fretz, b Feb. 23, 1883, d Aug. 9, 1883. 
VI. Bertha Fretz, b Nov. 7, 1887, d Jan. 13, 1888. 
VI. Barbara E. N. Fretz, b Apr. 20, 1894. 
VI. Elnora N. Fretz. 



—47— 

v. Susanna Fretz, b Apr. 14, 1850, m Addison Reinhart Dec. 5, 
1868. Farmer, Dunkards. C: 

VI. Alice Reinhart, b Apr. 17, 1869, m J. Y. Gross Sept. 13, 1892. 
C: (VII) Ethel Gross, b Mar. 1, 1894. Elnora Gross, b May 18, 1896. 
James A. Gross, b Dec. 34, 1897. Cora Gross, b Aug. 9, 1900. Rus- 
sel Gross, b Sept. 1.5, 1902. 

VI. Erwin Reinhart, b June 8, 1871, d 1873. 

VI. Nelson Reinhart, b .Aug. 34, 1873, m . 

VI. Clinton Reinhart, b Dec. 13, 1874. 

VI. Mabel Reinhart, b June 2.>, 1885. 

V. Sylvester R. Fretz, bNov. 5, 1854, d Oct. 17, 1899, m Laura G. 
Yerger Aug. 23, 1883. Res. .3915 N. Reese St., Phila. Pa. C: (VI) 
Amanda N. Fretz, b Mar. 35, 1884, d Apr. 21, 1884. Arthur Syl- 
vester Fretz, b Dec. 36, 1886. 

V. Mary Amanda Fretz, b Aug. 31, 18.57. S. 

V. James H. Fretz, b Sept. 10, 1863, d Nov. 6, 1881. 

IV. Abraham B. Fretz, b Mar. 7, 1834, d Mar. 30, 1896, m Eliza- 
beth S. Stauffer Jan 38, 1849. She was b Dec. 25, 1829, d Jan. 37, 
1904. Farmer, Menn. C: Cornelius, Samuel, Abraham, Susanna, 
Catharine, George, Elizabeth, Henry, Mary. 

v. Cornelius Fretz, b Dec. 18, 1849, d 1863. 

V. Samuel S. Fretz, b Mar. 13, 18.51, m Anna M. Rickert in 1876- 
M'f'r. of Umbreallas, parasols and canes. C: Frank, Florence, 
Jay. 

VI. Frank Howard Fretz, b Feb. 20, 1877. 

VI. Florence May Fretz, b July 23, 1878, d Jan. .5, 1880. 

VI. J. Warren Fretz, b July 19, 1880. 

V. Abraham Fretz, b July 19, 18.52, d Dec. 3, 1869. 

V. Susanna Fretz, b Sept. 30, 1853, d Feb. 24, 1863. 

V. Catharine Fretz, b Jan. 3, 18.56, d Feb. 19, 1863. 

V. George W. Fretz, b July, 4, 1857, m Lucy A. Wiegner. M'f'r. 
of Shirts, and dealer in Men's Furnishing Goods, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Menn. C: (VI) Samuel Harvey Fretz, b July 3, 1881. Dora May 
Fretz, Sept. 33, 1884. Lizzie Fretz, b Mar. 18, 1889. 

V. Elizabeth Fretz, b Sept. 33, 18.58, d Mar. 1, 1863. 



—48- 

V. Henry Fretz, b July 9, 1861, d Aug. 28, 1862 

iL^t'^^°°^™*'^' ^J"^«8' 18&i. m Isaiah W. Gross Oct. 14, 
1884. Foreman in Samuel 8. Fretz's Umbrella factory, in Phila 

^T' of -'/^^^ ^°°^' ^- ^™''' ^ ^'^°- 11' 1S87. Russel F. Gross! 
b May 26, 1893, d June 24, 1894. 



TINICUM BRANCH. 

DESCENDANTS OFm. JOSEPH FRETZ. 

(Seepage 32). ^ 

V. Anthony R. Fretz, b Feb. 19, 18.56, m Ella Barron. She was b 
Jan. 27, 1862. P. O. Bedmiuster, Pa. Farmer. C: (VI) Morris D 
Fretz, b Mar. 5, 1883. Chester Arthur Fretz, b Mar. 26 1885* 
Joseph Edgar Fretz, b Aug. «, 1886. Ada May Fretz, b Oct s' 
1888. Jennie Edna Fretz, b Nov. 9, 1890. Lila Edith Fretz, b Apr 
^iO, 1893. R. Lloyd Fretz, bNov. 12, 1893. Alma B. Fretz, b June 
I, 1896. 








JACOB FUNK HOMESTEAD 
BIRTH PliACE OF JOHN F. AND A. K. FUNK 



VALEDICTION. 



Dear Friends: — The time approaches when we 
must take our leave of you. But ere we part, let us 
review the past and seek to gain an idea of the 
weighty responsibility resting upon us. Since the 
day on which our worthy ancestors first set foot upon 
these sylvan shores, more than a century and a half 
has elapsed. To them and to us this epoch has been 
one of incalculable blessings, emanating from the 
hand of the Almighty. 

Here they felled the wooded wilderness, sub- 
dued the land, and lived modest, unassuming lives 
as humble tillers of the soil. Here they erected their 
shrines and altars, and worshiped unmolested the 
God of their fathers. Here prosperity smiled upon 
them, and there was no fear in their hearts that the 
next edict of Royalty or the Church would condemn 
them as heretics worthy of death or the galleys. 

Here, under tlie bright sun of freedom, they in- 
creased and were happy. 

Although, before they came, they were fuUy 
aware of the difficulties they must encounter and 
overcome in clearing tl;e forests, in contending with 
wild beasts, and in mollifying the no less savage Red 
man, yet they thought it better, far better, to leave 
the Land of their Nativity, a land whose soil was 
drenched with blood, and seek beyond the Western 
Wave, a clime where they might worship God accord- 
ing to the dictates of their own conscience, and live 
in peace with their fellov,' men. Although tliey took 
no active part in that arduous struggle for Independ- 
ence, yet from the very fact that they settled here, 
we are indebted to them for our invaluable birth- 
right, American Citizenship. Our duty to their 
memory is as great as the duty Vv-e owe to the mem- 
ory of those who directly laid the foundation of the 



—so- 
great social, moral, religious, and political platform 
on which we securely rest. It is difficult for many 
of us to adequately appreciate the value of the many 
privileges we, as citizens of this "Happiest of 
Lands," enjoy. But if we could, for a brief time, 
visit the Old World and behold the condition of mil- 
lions of Karth's down-trodden and oppressed, we 
would from our inmost hearts thank God for the'com- 
parative comfort, peace, and plenty, that we enjoy. 
Let us then revere the memory of our progeni- 
tors, not forgetting the trials they had, the persecu- 
tions they suffered, and the difficulties they sur- 
mounted in that age of bigotry and intolerance. Let 
us cherish the precepts and obey the injunctions of 
our P^athers. 

Let us as elder brothers warn and counsel our 
children against the vices and immoralities of the 
age, and live ourselves strict moral lives, that we 
convey to them no hereditary taints. 

"The richest treasure mortal times afford, 

Is spotless reputation. ' ' 
We can leave to our children no nobler legacy 
than an unblemished name. ' 'A good name is rather 
to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor 
rather than silver and gold." Prov. 22 — i.st. Its 
praise will reverberate down the aisles of ages", and 
like "Footprints in the sands of time," leave impres- 
sions that posterity will emulate long after we have 
been gathered to our fathers and are "Resolved to 
eartli again." 

We the people of to-day are rearing a genera- 
tion who, m their turn, must man the "Ship of 
State. ' ' How, depends in a great measure upon the 
impressions they receive in childhood, the home in- 
fluence, their training, the throughuess and breadth 
of their education, the pattern we set for them, and 
their love of God. Our duties to our children are 
onerous and manifold. We should shoulder the bur- 
den in the spirit of paternal love rather than from 
necessity. 

As a wild plant under the care and training of the 
skillful florist becomes year by year more and more 



•St — 



perfect until it brings forth rare and beautiful flowers 
which are admired by all who behold them, so we 
should foster and train our children, that each suc- 
ceeding generation may become more enlightened, 
more powerful for good, and more perfect in all that 
constitutes true manhood. 

In this enlightened age of progress shall we 
cling to old and antiquated customs by hoarding the 
"Ducats," and allowing the mental faculties of our 
youth to become stunted and dwarfed, or shall we 
endeavor to keep pace with the march of Intellect, 
and assist them (when they need assistance most) by 
giving them every educational and spiritual advant- 
age within the limits of our possibility? 

It should be our aim and desire to father a race 
of live, intelligent, enlightened men and women who 
are capable of performing the duties and functions of 
life, rather than a tribe of puny, sickly beings whose 
mental growth is dwarfed and whose conception of 
life, its duties, and its responsibilities, is vague and 
uncertain. Which it will be, our lives and deeds 
will make known. 

Trusting these thoughts may awaken an answer- 
ing echo in many hearts, we say: Farewell; and God 
be with you. A. B. Frrtz. 

Cedar Grove, N. J., Aug. 15. 1890, 






1. MARTHA FUNK. 

2. PHOEBE FUNK KOLB. 
a. MAUDE FUNK. 



4. WINNIFRED FUNK. 

5. EDNA FUNK. 

6. GERTRUDE FUNK. 



7. ANNA FUNK. 



THE 

FRETZ FAMILY REUNIONS 

AND 

ADDRESSES. 










<^ 




FIRST FRETZ FAMILY REUNION. 



On Aug. 9, 1888 was held the first meeting at 
the house of Rev. Allen M. Fretz, of Bedminster, 
Bucks Co. Pa., for the purpose of taking into con- 
sideration the holding of a reunion of the descend- 
ants of John Fretz and Christian Fretz. There were 
present at this meeting the following descendants: — 
Ely Fretz, Reed Fretz, Mahlon Fretz, Ouincy A. 
Fretz, Rev. Allen M. Fretz, Abraham L. Fretz, 
Dr. John H. Fretz, Aaron F. Myers, Erwin Wasser, 
Mahlon M. Fretz, Dr. C. D. Fretz, H. Erwin Fretz, 
Francis M. Fretz, Reuben G. Fretz, Mrs. Amanda 
Fretz, Mrs. Harriet Fretz, Mrs. Kate E. Fret/;, 
Mrs. Anna Fretz, Mrs. Barbara Wasser, Emeline 
Fretz, Susan Fretz, and Marietta Fretz. 

An organization was effected by the election of 
Rev. Allen M. Fretz, President; Dr. C. D. Fretz, 
Sec'y; and Francis M. Fretz, Treasurer. A motion 
was made and unanimously adopted that a reunion 
of the family be held at the old Homestead in Bed- 
minster on Saturday, Sept. 15, 18S8. The following 
committees were appointed by the President. 

Committee of Arrangements. H. Erwin 
Fretz, Abraham L. Fretz, Mahlon M. Fretz, Aaron 
F. Myers, Mahlon Fretz, Henry F. Myers, and 
John M. Fretz. 

Committee on Invitation. Dr. John H. Fretz, 
Reuben G. Fretz, Ouincy A. Fretz, Reed Fretz, and 
Dr. C. D. Fretz. ~ 

Committee on Programme. Dr. C. D. Fretz, 
Reed Fretz, and Rev. Allen M. Fretz. After a little 
further business the meeting was adjourned. 

A second meeting was held on Sept. 6, 18S8 at 
the house of Mahlon M. Fretz of Bedminster. In 
the absence of the Secretary, Aaron F. Myers was 
appointed Sec'y pro-tem. 

The Committee on Invitation reported that in- 



-56- 

vitations had been sent to all whose names and ad- 
dresses could be obtained. 

The Committee on Programme reported pro- 
gress. 

The Committee of Arrangements, reported that 
the grove belonging to the homestead farm had 
been agreed upon to hold the reunion. Also that re- 
porters from the Bucks County Intelligencer, The 
Perkasie News, and the Quakertown Free Press, be 
invited to be present. Adjourned to meet at the 
house of Dr. John H.Fretz at Hagersville, on Thurs- 
day evening Sept. 13, 1888. 

The meeting was called to order by the Pres. 
Rev. Allen M. Fretz. 

The Committee on Programme presented a form 
of programme for the reunion. 

The Committee of Arrangements reported that 
all the necessary arrangements had been made for the 
comfort and convenience of the guests, after which 
the meeting adjourned. 



ACCOUNT OF THE FIRST FRETZ FAMILY 
REUNION BY Dr. C. D. FRETZ. 



The first reunion of the Fretz' family was held in 
the grove adjoining the old Fretz' homestead, near 
Bedminsterville, Pa., Sept. 15, 1888. The weather 
was all that could have been desired, and the descend- 
ants of those two pioneers, John and Christian Fretz, 
who are so numerous in this vicinity, came in large 
numbers. Nearly all of the eastern counties of Penn- 
sylvania were represented, as well as the states of 
Ohio, Kansas, New Jersey, and the District of Co- 
lumbia. Old and j^ouug came to see their relatives, 
who were gathered here from all quarters, to learn 
something about their worthy ancestors who were 
.sleeping in the quiet churchyard, at the Deep Run, 
Mennonite meeting-house, before the fires of the 
Revolutionary war were kindled, and who had built 
their log huts in the wilderness years before George 



'0/ 



Washington was born. More than five hundred of 
their descendants, registered their name, and many 
were there who did not register. The number present 
was estimated at from eight hundred to one thousand. 
The oldest descendant present was, Mrs. Susanna 
Funk, of Line Lexington, being 86 years old. She is 
the mother of Kev. John Funk, editor of the 
Hekald ofTkuth, and Abraham K. Funk, Sec'yof 
the Mennonite Publishing Co., of Elkhart, Ind., and 
daughter of Martin Fretz, deceased, of Hilltown. 
Philip K. Fretz, of Bedrainster; Henry Fretz, of 
Plumstead; Mrs. Klizabeth Fretz Farren, of Doyles- 
town; and John Henry Garges, of Washington, 
D. C, were among the oldest. The ministers of the 
Gospel were Rev. Allen M. Fretz, of Bedminster; 
Kev. Abraham J. Fretz, of Milton, N. J.; and Rev. 
Enos Loux, of Dublin. 

The medical profesj^ion was represented by Dr. 
Harvey Kratz, of New Britain; Dr. A. F.Myers, of 
Blooming Glen; Dr. O. H. Fretz, of Quakertown; 
Dr. A. N. Fretz, of Fleetwood, Berks Co.; Dr. C. D. 
Fretz, of Sellersville; and Dr. John H. Fretz, of 
Hagersville, 

The only representative of the legal profession 
was J. Freeman Hendricks, Esq., of Doylestown. 

County Superintendent W. H. Slotter, of Doyles- 
town represented the educational interests. 

The mass was made up of the sturdy yeoman, 
who for a century and a half has given a character to 
the family by their integrity and moral worth. The 
female portion of the family was worthily represented 
by the wives, sisters and mothers, and none labored 
more zealously than they to make the reunion a 
success. The latest generation was there too, and the 
shouts and merrymaking of the children made a 
cheerful accompaniment to the more staid gathering 
around the speaker's stand. 

The committee of arrangements had made ample 
preparations. A table one hundred and eighty feet 
long had been constructed, upon which the ladies of 
the committee were engaged during the forenoon in 
transferring the contents of many well filled baskets 



- si:.— 

and boxes. When the dinner hour arrived and a gen- 
eral invitation to all was extended by the chairman, 
the audience as generously responded, and not until 
the table had been filled and cleared three times vi^ere 
all the hungry satisfied. A speaker's stand had been 
erected upon a convenient spot, in front of which 
were placed benches and chairs for the audience. On 
one side was placed an organ, presided over by Miss 
Ida Moyer. The musical part of the programme was 
very properly left in the hands of Dr. A. F. Myers. 
The exercises of the forenoon were opened by singing 
the Coronation hymn from printed slips previously 
distributed through the audience. This was followed 
by a fervent prayer by Rev. A, J. Fretz. Rev. Allen 
M. Fretz, then delivered the address of welcome, 
after which the Secretary, Dr. C. D. Fretz, read a 
letter from Harrison H. Fretz, of Springfield, Mis- 
souri, regretting his absence and hoping to be able to 
meet them at a future reunion. 

J. Freeman Hendricks, Esq., of Doylestown, 
addressed the audience very felicitously for some 
time, when the exercises of the forenoon were closed 
by singing that patriotic hymn, "America." 

The time between the exercises was taken up in 
social converse, and in registering the names of the 
descendants present, which are to be preserved for 
future reference. Dr. John H. Fretz, who had been 
appointed as Registor, was kept busily engaged dur- 
ing the interval. 

The afternoon exercises commenced at 2 o'clock 
by singing the hymn, "Come, Thou Front of every 
Blessing." Rev. A. J. Fretz then delivered the His- 
torical address, which was listened to with profound 
interest. He graphically depicted the surroundings 
when the two brothers, John and Christian Fretz, 
driven forth from their fatherland by cruel persecu- 
tions, sought refuge in this far off land, this wilder- 
ness, inhabited by wild beasts, and the equally dan- 
gerous Red Man. The genealogy of the different 
branches of the family were briefly reviewed, and 
other interesting facts and dates given. Dr. A. N. 
Fretz, of Fleetwood, who had just arrived, and who 



—59 — 

was a complete stranger in this section of the state, 
then gave a short talk, after which County Superin- 
tendent, Wm. H. Slotter, delivered the memorial 
address. After some announcements and the singing 
of the hymn entitled, "There's a Land that is fairer 
than day," the exercises were closed with the Bene- 
diction and the Doxology, "Praise God from whom 
all blessings flow. " 

THE ADDRESS OF WELCOME, BY REV. 

ALLEN M. FRETZ, AT THE FRETZ' 

FAMILY REUNION, SEPT. 15, 1888. 

Dear Friends: — In appearing before you this 
morning to bid you welcome on this occasion, I feel 
that mine is a very pleasant duty indeed. It is a 
pleasant duty, first, because I trust that all who have 
gathered, and who have now assembled before me, as 
well as all who may still be coming and will be here 
later in the day, have come with a knowledge, and an 
assurance of the fact that they are welcome. I do 
therefore deem it unnecessary to enter into argu- 
ments to prove that fact. Further it is a pleasant 
duty for me to stand, unworthy as I may be for it, 
between the fathers of almost two centuries ago 
whose dusts now lie mingled with the earth in yonder 
grave yard, and their numerous descendants, of 
which I have the honor of being one, to bid you wel- 
come to the first general reunion of the Fretz' Family. 

Less than two centuries ago these teeming val- 
leys, and verdant hills were mostly covered with 
forests, and were, with this grove in which we have 
assembled to-day, the home of the Red man, while 
the wild beasts of the forests vied with him in finding 
a sustenance. The remains of our ancestors lie side 
by side, in soil not their own by birth, and we visit 
their graves at times to call our memories back to 
their daring lives, while the ashes of the Aborigines 
have entered into the substance of the soil from 
which we reap our beautiful harvests, and obtain our 
sustenance. In the early years of the i Sth Century 



— 6o— 

came emigrants from England, Scotland and Ger- 
many, and took possession of the land in this 
vicinity. It was then, that, among the many others, 
two brothers, John and Christian Fretz, left their 
homes and friends in the fatherland, and for weal or 
woe, crossed the wide, perilous Atlantic, and came to 
this new world, the refuge for the oppressed and 
persecuted of every civilized country. 

In course of time Christian became possessor of a 
tract of land in Tinicum Township, about three miles 
from here, while John made his purchase and future 
home on a tract in Bedminster Twp., of which the 
soil on which we meet to-day is a part, and which has 
since been continuously in the possession of his male 
descendants to this day. In these homes the Lord 
prospered them till now their descendants are no 
longer confined to the townships of Bedminster and 
Tinicum, but have increased and multiplied, and 
spread abroad, until now they may be found in al- 
most every State and Territory through the length 
and breadtli of this fair land, and in various parts of 
Canada as well. 

This is an age of reunions. Alumni of Schools 
and Colleges have reunions, the veterans of the late 
war have reunions, families have reunions, and it is 
well that the descendants of these two brothers 
should have such a gathering also. During the brief 
time alloted for preparation, there were sent out to 
all Fretz' descendants whose names and address could 
be ascertained, invitations to meet with us at this 
reunion, to renew the memories of our ancestors, and 
become better acquainted with each other as off- 
spring of a common ancestry. I do therefore, in 
memory of our forefathers, bid you welcome to this 
assembly. In behalf of the present proprietor of this 
grove I bid you welcome. In the name of the com- 
mittee of arrangements I bid you welcome. I bid 
you welcome to the exercise that will be conducted 
here to-day, and to the common table that will be 
spread for dinner. 

Let us make this day a day of prof it, as well as a day 
of pleasure. While our memories are refreshed with 



— 6i — 

the daring and self-denial of our ancestors, let us also 
take an example from their devotedness to the cause 
for which they forsook their native land— religious 
liberty, and cultivative true filial love and devotedness 
to one another. Above all let us lift our hearts in 
thankfulness to God, the giver of every good and 
perfect gift, for his blessings upon our ancestors, 
upon our immediate fathers and mothers, and upon 
us the present moment. Let us unitedly pray 
that He may continue to be with us and bless us as 
He has been with our fathers and blest them. 

Let us seek so to live in his fear, and to Glory 
in His great name, that in the great and final family 
reunion, we may all be privileged to participate. 
That we having heeded the loving invitation may be 
reunited with our friends gone before, and with them 
forever share the joys of a reunion inseparable. 



THE SECOND FRETZ FAMILY REUNION. 

BY C. D. FRETZ, M. D. 



The second reunion of the descendants of John 
and Christian Fretz was held in the grove near the 
old homestead, in Bedminster township, on Satur- 
day, Sept. 2, 1893. The early morning gave but 
faint prospects for a pleasant day, owing to the 
stormy aspect of the weather. Nevertheless, by 
1 1 o'clock several hundred persons were gathered 
about the speakers' stand, when Rev. Allen M. Fretz, 
of Souderton, chairman of the reunion committee, 
called the meeting to order. The day's exercises 
were ushered in by the singing of the magnificent 
hymn, "Come, Thou Almighty King," Dr. A. F. 
Mvers, of Blooming Glen, musical director. Next 
followed the invocation by Rev. Thomas S. Fretz, of 
Lewisburg, Pa. Reed Fretz, of Bedminster, then, 
in few words, welcomed the assembled to the home 
of their ancestors, which had fostered them in their 
hour of need. This was very felicitously responded 



to by Prof. Alva B. Fretz, of Cedar Grove, N. J. 
Rev, Allen M. Fretz then proceeded to deliver the 
memorial address. Worthily did he enumerate the 
brave deeds of his fore-fathers, who lie resting in the 
old graveyard at Deep Run hoping they might be 
emulated by their descendants and their memories 
forever held sacred. 

The singing of the coronation hymn closed the 
first part of the program, after which all were in- 
vited to partake of the bounteous repast prepared by 
the ladies' committee. Ample justice was done to 
this pleasing feature of the program. The table, 
about 200 feet long, spread with various varieties of 
food to satisfy the most fastidious, was a novelty to 
see. 

The committee on registration, consisting of 
Messrs. J. Franklin Fretz, Oscar Fretz and Joseph 
Myers, were busily engaged with the register, in 
which descendants present inscribed their names. 
In the meantime the cloudy morning was trans- 
formed into a beautiful afternoon, and crowds of 
people hastened to the grove, until the number was 
swelled to about 2.000. Promptl}' at 2 o'clock all 
gathered once more around the platform, when the 
entire assemblage broke forth with the patriotic 
strains of "My Country, 'tis of Thee," which were 
echoed and re-echoed among the rings of the forest. 

After the singing J. F. Hendricks, Esq., of 
Doylestown, addressed the assemblage. He spoke of 
the integrity and honesty for which the family had 
always been noted since the first ancestor. Mr. Hend- 
ricks' speech was followed by a beautiful solo, ren- 
dered by Miss P'lorence E. Newbaker, of Philadel- 
phia, entitled "My Father's Home." A short essay 
was then read by J. Kirk Leatherman, M. E. , of 
Tullytown, Pa. Another pretty solo was sung by 
Miss Mary H. Fretz, of Milton, N. J., entitled 
"Dream of the Old Home," after which County 
Superintendent William H. Slotter addressed the 
audience in a few words. This was followed by an- 
other hymn, "Nearer my God to Thee." The family 
historian, Rev. A. J. Fretz, of Milton, N. J., was 




CORP. JOHN K. FEETZ. 



-63- 

then introduced, who held the audience enraptured 
for some time. The meeting was then adjourned 
after singing "Praise God from Whom all Blessings 
flow." 



MEMORIAL ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE 

SECOND FRETZ FAMILY REUNION, 

SEPTEMBER 2, 1893. 

By Rev. A. M. Fretz. 



Kind and Beloved Friends: — 

Behind us we have the past, for that we have 
history; before us we have the future, for that we 
entertain hope, which we have to-day to do with the 
present. And while we are reminded to-day of the 
past, and are looking forward to the future, and are 
enjoying ourselves here in this grove made lovely 
and blessed by having been in the possession of the 
family name for almost two centuries, and by being 
the spot where we met on a similar occasion five years 
ago, we are led to ask; what can we do to associate 
the varied past, the solemn future, and the glorious 
f)resent? Can we set up a fitting memorial? Can we 
erect a structure? Can we inscribe a tablet, or speak 
impressive and enduring words that will answer the 
purpose? The most lasting memorials are inscribed 
upon the tablets of human hearts, and exemplified 
in human lives, for what is once written there can 
not be effaced or destroyed. These inscriptions are 
made through the different gateways to the heart, 
and tend to beautify, to elevate, and to naturalize 
the character of the individual. In my present atti- 
tude I do not wish to be considered the artist, but 
only a helping hand, giving a few touches, perhaps, 
to this memorial. For when I call to mind the two 
stems with their various branches and sub-branches, 
limbs, boughs, sprouts, sprigs and twigs twining 
and intertwining themselves, comprising one v/hole, 



-64- 

the Fretz family, I feel that my limited acquaint- 
ance will debar me from speaking memorably of the 
family as a whole. 

Reviewing the past, we are all reminded of the 
fact that our traveling was not always on paths 
strewn with roses. While we relished our comfit- 
ures we had also our discomfitures, there was a 
variegation of gladness and sorrow, of sunshine and 
shadow, of hope and fear, of prosperity and adver- 
sity, of friendship and enmity. 

Five years have elapsed since we gathered on 
these grounds before, in the capacity of a reunion. 
Of those who were then in the registered list quite a 
number have crossed the river of death, and we 
trust are among the registered to enjoy a happy 
reuiiion with friends gone before, and with us yet to 
follow. Reflecting over the past our thoughts are 
carried back to the two brothers who left the home 
of their childhood— the hills and vales of western 
Germany, on a voyage comparatively untried, to a 
land comparatively new, and found a home in east- 
ern Pennsylvania, under Divine Providence then the 
refuge of those oppressed for religion's sake. 

Let us remember they were brothers; in this 
fraternal bond they braved the perils of the deep to- 
gether. Together they shared their hopes and fear.«\ 
through a voyage of many weeks. And. if we ac- 
cept the tradition that a third brother died on the 
voyage, we see their tears of sorrow mingle together 
while with trembling hands together they smooth the 
brow and press the hands of their departed brother; 
and perhaps together in sadness see his body lowered 
into the deep. 

Their fears, their hopes, 

Their aims were one, 
Their comforts and 
Their cares. 
Together they .stepped from ship to soil; together 
they went inland, and eventually planted their 
homes near together on these hills. Together they 
worshiped at one altar, together they are sleeping 
in one graveyard. America, the land of their 



-65- 

adoption, afforded them the liberty of conscience 
thej^ sought, and became the home of their numer- 
ous progeny. The^ were brothers. I can not 
emphasize that too much! What a lesson of a me- 
morial character for us upon the occasion of our 
meeting to-day. One of the objects of a reunion, of 
this reunion, is to call vividly to mind this relation- 
ship between these, our two ancestors. Another ob- 
ject is, to be influenced by that relationship for our 
own. What are we? Inthe widest sense of relation- 
ship we are cousins. But no! we too are brethren, 
and our gathering together to-day misses its aim if 
we do not learn to better cherish the feeling of 
brotherhood in our hearts, honoring and perpetuat- 
ing the name and lives of our ancestors, the Fretz 
brothers, aiding us at the same time to honor and 
perpetuate a higher family name and brotherhood of 
Christ after whom the whole family in heaven and 
on earth should be named. How blessed when 
brothers dwell together in love and unity, how sad, 
how extremely sad when hatred and discord prevail. 
Let this gathering then be the blessed means of re- 
uniting severed chords of brotherhood, of sisterhood, 
of friendship. 

In the execution of our memorial we have es- 
pecially a present work. This is the field of action. 
The past has its lessons, the future will have its 
fruit. Today is the reunion. The thoughts, 
words and deeds of the day will raise the memorial. 
The term reunion comes from two Latin words,— 
union from unus, one, re a prefix from the Latin 
denoting again. Reunion, a uniting again of parted 
and seperated friends. And this is not for the day 
only, but also for the future. United as brethren, 
united as friends, united in good works, united in 
glorifying the end of our existence; not the result of 
sin's depravity, — base, low, envious and selfish 
creatures, but men and women, progeny of a noble 
ancestry, the crown of creation, with immortal souls 
destined for eternal existance, invited and called to a 
reunion in the glorious and happy home of the re- 
deemed, where hard words, ill will, discord, broken 



—66— 

friendships and parting tears will not be among our 
experiences. 

Though it may be true that our grand family 
name with its connections is not entirely without 
dark spots, there may be stains and blots here and 
there avoidable or unavoidable as the case may be, 
in our efforts to build up the character of the future 
it is not wise to blind our eyes against the failings of 
the past. I say, though this may be true, we are 
privileged with a great degree of gratification, and 
that without any self-glorifying wish, to write the 
names of Fretz descendants high on the roll of use- 
fulness and honor. The great majority of the male 
descendants are faithful followers of the plow, rend- 
ing the earth's bosom and assisting in gathering the 
earthly sustenance of the human family, being cult- 
ured and faithful citizens of our great country, while 
their sisters are, as of yore, baking their bread, pre- 
paring their meals, washing and ironing their linens, 
milking the cows, and faithfully performing the 
other necessary household duties; and together they 
occupy in no respect an inferior position on the roll 
of usefulness and honor. But we are privileged to 
record there also the names of many who have made 
their mark high in other pursuits. The different 
trades and businesses required in a land like ours en- 
gage the attention of not a few. In the profession of 
teaching we find many, assisting the young to rise 
in worth and usefulness. There too is a sprinkling 
(I hope my friends in the legal profession will pardon 
this term for want of a more legitimate one) in the 
legal profession, ministering at the courts of justice 
and concerned that dues are meted to all. Then 
comes the medical profession. Quite a goodly 
number bearing the Fretz name and others lineally 
descended are crowning, — I want to emphasize this 
word CROWNING, the porfession of medicine, pre- 
scribing and dispensing drops and pills, powders and 
and lotions, etc. to meet the demands of the various 
ills that human flesh is heir to. And lastly but 
verily not least, the divine hand of anointing to the 
call of the sacred ministry has been laid on not a few 




MARY H. FRETZ 



-67- 

of this famil3^ These are striving, with the God- 
given power and wisdom, to publish the preparation 
made, give the call and invite to that great reunion, 
illuminating the path and leading the willing ones to 
a proper preparation on their part for that grand 
gathering. 

May we then learn to-day the lessons of love, of 
brotherhood, and of faithfulness, remembering that 
the most lasting memorial that can be raised to the 
memory of our ancestors is the preservation of the 
name of the Fretz from dishonor and disgrace, by 
our honorable and Christ-like lives and our faithful 
discharge of the duties in our respective callings and 
fields of labor. May we cherish such feelings of 
friendship that gatherings like this of to-day may be 
looked forward to with longing desire and blessed 
hope. 



HISTOKICAL ADDRESS 

Delivered at the Second Reunion of the Fretz 

Family at Bedminster, Sept. 2, 1893, 

By Rev. A. J. Fretz. 



This is indeed an auspicious day to be met here 
on almost consecrated ground, for two reasons — 
First, because this was the home of an ancestor who 
came from the old world to the new, settling here 
156 years ago and founded a family now numbered 
by the thousands, scattered over this broad land from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific, with numerous represent- 
atives in Canada and some in other countries. 

Here finished his work and ended his earthly pil- 
grimage, one, whose memory we shall ever revere 
and cherish for his bravery, fidelity and patriotism. 

Second, because here are assembled such a nu- 
merous company of descendants of our worthy an- 
cestors, John and Christian Fretz, to recount some 
events in their lives of these devoted fathers of more 
than a century and a half ago, and to extend greet- 
ings to one another in the common bonds of kinship, 



— 6S- 



and to render praise and thanksgiving to Almighty- 
God, who directed the steps of the ancestors hither. 
We are here also, if possible, to learn more con- 
cerning the early ancestors, to gather together the 
remaining fragments of their history, incidents of 
their lives of interest, and that will be highly prized 
by generations yet unborn. 

Family history and family genealogies are works 
of great value and much interest to the descendants, 
and they become more and more so as time passes on. 
Their sayings, acts, privations, early struggles, the 
final successes, traditions and history of the ancestors 
so often recounted by the grandfathers and grand- 
mothers cannot fail to be of interest, all these things 
should be put in a form for permanent preservation. 
There will come a time, when, generations hence, 
these things will be of incalculable value. It is re- 
markably strange that there are so many who do not 
care for these things, and take so little interest in 
them, so much so that some do not know who their 
grand parents were. 

According to a tradition of the family, the an- 
cestors, John and Christian Fretz, with a third bro- 
ther who died on the voyage, came from near the 
City of Manheim, Province of Baden, Germany, for- 
merly known as the Palatinate, or Rhenish Prussia, 
and therefore were undoubtedly of German national- 
ity. Although during the persecution of the Men- 
nonites in Switzerland, by the Calvinists, many of 
them fled across the line into the Palatinate, where 
they remained for a time, and afterwards emigrated 
to America. Many of these Swiss Mennonites from 
the Palatinate were among the early settlers of Bucks 
and Montgomery counties, among them, if the tradi- 
tion of the family can be relied on, were the Moyer 
ancestors. 

It is said that the Fretz ancestors emigrated to 
America during the "last persecution," and came in 
company with the Meyer ancestors, who settled in 
Montgomery Co. If the last statement be true, the 
probable date of their arrival into this country is as- 
certained. The Meyer ancestors, of Montgomery 



-69- 

county, were Christian and Hans Meyer. Hans 
Meyer is said to have emigrated to America in 1708, 
and, as we have recently learned, was the father-in 
law of the pioneer John Fretz. If it be true that 
John Fretz came to America in company with his 
afterwards father-in-law, Hans Meyer, which no 
doubt was the case, the date of his immigration into 
this country is certain to have been about 170S, and 
thus we find them settled here in the infancy of the 
great commonwealth of Pennsylvania, founded by 
William Penn, and about 45 years before the French 
and Indian war, in which George Washington was a 
British colonel, and long before the United States 
became a free and independent nation. Some of the 
stirring scenes in the colonies took place during their 
life-time, and as the earthly pilgrimage of the aged 
ancestors began to draw to a close, the colonists be- 
came restless under the British yoke, and barely had 
the pioneers gone to their rest before the war for In- 
dependence burst forth, which brought the freedom 
that their children after them, then settled with fam- 
ilies, enjoyed. 

The Fretz brothers came over single men, mar- 
ried their wives on American soil, and here were all 
their children born. At the time of the publication 
of the Fretz history, it was not known who either of 
the Fretz ancestors married. We were fortunate, 
however, in our investigations into the Meyer family 
quite recently, to discover the fact that John Fretz 
married for his first wife, Barbara Meyer, daughter 
of Hans Meyer, of Upper Salford, Montgomery 
county, and thus is happily discovered a missing link, 
and which enables us, who are descendants by this 
marriage, to go one degree farther, one generation 
back of the Fretz ancestry, and the fact is established 
that our first ancestor on American soil was Hans 
Meyer, of Upper Salford, Montgomery county. 

This, no doubt, is a surprising revelation to 
many of you here to-day, who have never so much 
as dreamed that you were Meyer descendants. 

But it is a happy revelation to us, as it brings 
us into closer and dearer relation to the many 



ro — 



descendants of Hans Meyer, who are scattered all 
through Bucks and Montgomery counties, and else- 
where. 

This discovery gives us a possible clue to where 
John Fretz at first settled before purchasing the 
homestead in Bedrainster, and which was probably 
somewhere in Montgomery county, and where all 
the children by the first wife, except Elizabeth Kulp, 
were probably born. John Fretz's second wife's 
name was Maria, her full maiden name in unknown 
to us as yet. By the first wife the children in order 
of birth were John, Jacob, Christian, Abraham and 
Elizabeth; by the second wife, Mark, Henry, and 
Barbara . 

The ancestor Christian Fretz, of Tinicum, set- 
tled at what is known as Heaney's Mill, where still 
stands the stone house built by his son. Christian, 
more than a hundred years ago. His children were 
Abraham, Mark, Christian, Daniel, Elizabeth and 
Barbara. He had no sons Jacob, John, and Henry, 
which has been ascertained by his will, which is on 
record at Doylestown, Pa. 

Abraham lived in Bedminster, on a farm of 224 
acres, now owned by Anthony R. Fretz, Quincy A. 
Fretz, Jacob F. Hockman and Levi Hockman. 

Mark lived in Tinicum township, near the Dur- 
ham road, on a farm of 200 acres, now owned by 
Jacob Steeley, Levi Yost, and Reuben Heaney. 

Christian inherited the homestead, where, as be- 
fore stated, he erected the present house. 

Of Daniel's family all but the son, Daniel, and 
daughter, Eve, moved to Westmoreland county, Pa. 
in 1800. 

The pioneer, John Fretz, probably settled for a 
time in Montgomery county, then, in 1737 or 1738, 
purchased the homestead in Bedminster, on which we 
are to-day assembled, of Bartholomew Longstreth, 
consisting of 230 acres, and for which he paid 106 
pounds. 

The tract when purchased had a house, which 
was probably of logs, a barn and other outbuildings, 
but was surrounded on all sides by a wilderness of 







r.-^^^ 



^:^ 




— 71- 



vacant and unimproved land.- Here the pioneer so- 
journed until the close of his earthly pilgrimage, im- 
proving his home and;following bis vocation, that of 
weaving, which may have been his principal occupa- 
tion in his later years. The last will and testament 
of John Fretz was dated Jan. 29, 1772, was probated 
March 3, of the same year, which showsthathe died 
between the two dates given, probably in Feb. 1772, 
120 years ago. 

Several of his children were also weavers, which 
they no doubt combined with other occupations. 
John lived, for some years after his marriage, in 
Tinicum township, and was a weaver. At the time 
of his father's death, in 1772, he was a resident of 
Haycock tov.nship, on theTohickon, where be ran a 
mill; afterwards moving to Doylestown, from w^hence, 
in iSoo, when 70 }ears old, he, with all bis family, 
emigrated to Canada, except his daughter Barbara, 
wife of Jacob Silvius, who remained in Bucks county, 
and Moses, who went out the year previous. He, 
John Fretz, was one of the leading spirits in found- 
ing the first Mennonite church in Canada, of which 
be was the first deacon. He died in 1826, aged 96 
years. His descendants are very numerous, most of 
them residing in Canada, but many are in the western 
and other portions of the United States. Among 
them are prominent ministers of the Methodist Epis- 
copal, Mennonite, Baptist and other churches. 

Jacob Fretz at first lived near Erwina, in Tini- 
cum township, on wbat is known as the Ervine farm, 
be having sold it to a man of that name, was also a 
weaver. The family suffering from malaria he after- 
wards purchased a farm in Bedminster township, 
along the Tobickon, where his son Joseph, known as 
"Big Joe," lived and died. Christian Fretz was a 
farmer. He inherited the old homestead in Bedmins- 
ter, on which be lived and died, and to which he added 
by purchase from bis son, John, the tract known as 
the poor fields, consisting of about 25 acres. He 
was a wealthy man, and reared a large family. His 
descendants are very numerous, numbering about 
2000 living, with over 500 deceased. 



— 72— 

Abraham Fretz was also a weaver and lived on a 
farm at Fretz Valley, in Bedminster township, now 
owned by Philip K. Fretz, a grandson, and Reed 
Fretz, a great grandson. 

Elizabeth Fretz married Jacob Kolb, a farmer, 
lived in Hilltown township, where many of their 
descendants still live. 

Mark Fretz was a miller and farmer and lived in 
New Britain Tp. , on the place now known as Curley 's 
mill, owned several hundred acres of land. He lived 
to be nearly 90 years old, and was a deacon of the 
Meunonite church at Line Lexington. Henry Fretz 
was a shoemaker by trade, and a farmer. He was 
known as Shoemaker Henry. He lived on a farm 
known as the Wisler farm in Bedminster township, 
three miles west of Bedminsterville. Of Barbara 
Fretz, the j^oungest child, nothing is known. 

Of the descendants of Weaver John Fretz, the 
total born bearing the name of Fretz is 826, of this 
number 456 are living and 370 have died. Total de- 
scendants born, 6,200; living, 4,760, deceased, 1,440. 
A complete enumeration to date of all the descend- 
ants would bring the total number of descendants 
born up to 6,500, with over 5,000 living. 

To the ancestors John and Christian Fretz we 
owe a debt of gratitude for their unflinching faith in 
God, fidelity to His cause, and for their bravery. It 
was no small matter for the ancestors to leave their 
homes in the far-off fatherland, to brave the perils of 
the ocean, and to endure the hardships and incon- 
veniences incident to their settlement in the new 
world, in the vast wilderness of America, where they 
erected their log cabins, surrounded on all sides by 
vwild beasts and treacherous savages. 

But pressed on account of their religion, perse- 
cuted in the land of their nativity on account thereof, 
with devotion to God and conscience, they dared to 
brave the perils of land and sea to find a home where 
they would at least be untrammeled in the worship 
of God, a privilege so dear to the hearts of all of 
God's people. 

What thoughts must have crowded upon their 



— 73— 

minds as they looked for the last time upon familiar 
scenes around them, as they stood at the graves of 
beloved dead ones for the last time, joined in prayer 
and song, and listened to the word of God in the old 
Parrish church for the last time in the land of their 
nativity, spoke their last farewell to loved ones at 
home, clasped the hand of father and embraced 
mother for the last time, with eyes dimmed with 
tears, and the tongue of utterance choked with 
emotion, and turned their backs upon the eld home 
and fatherland, and faced towards the new. 

How their hearts must have sank within them, 
when, tossed upon the bosom of the old ocean, they 
consigned the body of a brother to a deep and watery 
grave. 

The ancestors and their 'immediate descendants 
were plain and unpretentious folks of the Mennonite 
faith, chiefly occupied as weavers, farmers and mill- 
ers, in which occupation they were successful. For 
several generations the family produced no profes- 
sional men. But later generations have not been 
confined to the workshop and farm. They have 
graced every walk in life, and represented every pro- 
fession. In the school room, in journalism, in medi- 
cine, at the bar, on the platform, in legislative halls, 
and in the pulpit, they have won renown. They 
have stood in the ranks of the soldier, wielded the 
sword, and died upon bloody fields of battle, in de- 
fense of country and home. 

In conclusion let me say that we, as our ances- 
tors did, are also making history, history that will 
have more or less influence upon our children and 
descendants after us. That we may have nothing to 
regret, let us make a clean history, and leave only an 
influence for good upon those we leave behind us to 
tread the winepress of life after we are gone. That 
in the great day, when all history will be a finished 
work, and the final gatherings of the nations be, 
when with our ancestors and our descendants, we 
ma}' gather in one final re-union, our Heavenly 
Father may welcome us, own us, and crown us citi- 
zens of His kingdom. 



THE THIRD FRETZ FAMILY REUNION. 



BY A. F. MYERS, M. D. 



It was a perfect day when the third Fretz Fam- 
ily Reunion was held, on Saturday, August 27th, 
1898, in the beautiful grove on the old pioneer 
John Fretz Homestead, near Bedminster. Previous 
rains having allayed the dust, a perfect sunrise 
gave early assurance of a splendid day that was 
happily realized, Mahlon M. F'retz, the owner of 
the old homestead, generously offered the commit- 
tee everything at his disposal to make ample prep- 
aration to accommodate a large attendance, and 
it was well they did, for the large grove was filled 
with vehicles. It was estimated that 2,500 people 
were present. A table nearly 200 feet long had 
been erected to provide dinner, and when the hour 
arrived the general invitation was promptly re- 
sponded to by a thousand hungry descendants. 
Seats had been arranged around the speakers' 
stand, and early an appreciative audience greeted 
each other. Rev. Allen M. Fretz, ofSouderton, 
Chairman of the Fretz Historical Association, 
called the assemblage to order, and the exercises 
were opened by the audience joining in singing the 
good old "Coronation" hymn. The hymns were 
printed upon the programs. Miss Mary H. Fretz, 
of Milton, N. J., presided at the organ, and. Dr. A. 
F. Myers, of Blooming Glen, led the singing. 
Prayer was offered by Rev. Jordan FVetz, of 
Pipersville. Reed Fretz, of Bedminster, in well 
chosen words, bade a hearty welcome to all. To 
this salutation. Rev. Franklin K. Fretz, of Colmar, 
responded, and felicitously re-echoed the sentiment 
of every one present. Miss Mary H. Fretz then 
delighted the audience by singing a beautiful solo. 
The greeting sent by Prof. H. Z. Gill, of Topeka, 
Kansas, who was unable to be present, was read 
by Dr. A. F. Myers. This was appropriately fol- 
lowed by the audience singing, in patriotic strains, 
"Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue." 




ABRAHAM FRE'lZ 



-75- 

" Pilgrimage and Reunion" was the subject of an 
address by A. B. Fretz, of New York City. He 
referred to the pilgrimage of the ancients, and 
called this, too, the sacred ground of the associa- 
tion- here the progenitors of the family had left 
the impress of their Christian lives. The Presi- 
dent referred briefly to the piety of our ancestors, 
and as a people they were always progressive and 
enhghtened. They loved their country's flag and 
their homes; placing only their duty to God above 
their allegiance to their country— traits worthy of 

emulation. 

The President, as the representative of the 
association, bade the kindred to dine together and 
enjoy what the many friends had so bountifully 
provided. The long table was repeatedly filled. 
During the day the register was busy, and over a 
thousand descendants recorded their names. At 
the close of the exercises, social converse and the 
renewing of old family ties held supreme sway. 
The hours passed only too swiftly. 

The assemblage had been largely augmented 
during the noon hour. In opening the afternoon 
exercises all joined in singing that subUme hymn 
"America." It was a delight to participate. Dr. 
A. N. Fretz, of Fleetwood, Pa., referred to the 
present conflict with Spain, and illustrated how 
the home-training determines what the nation is to 
be; that the source of the power of the American 
people was in the enjoyment of religious liberty. 
"The Old Homestead" was the title of an appro- 
priate solo sang by Mrs. Florence Thompson, 
accompanied on the organ by Mrs. Mary Baran- 
don, of Philadelphia. An excellent memorial ad- 
dress was delivered by Prof. A. F. K. Krout, of 
Philadelphia. Incidentally, he called attention to 
the folly of many in abandoning the German— 
their mother tongue. The historical address needs 
no encomiums. Rev. A. J. Fretz, of Milton, N.J., 
the able historian, read a well prepared paper, de- 
lineating the source of the admirable traits of the 
extensive descendancy. In concluding the exer- 



-76- 

cises, Rev. A. M. Fretz referred to the religion of 
the humble forefathers of the family and the influ- 
ence wrought by their Christian lives. The assem- 
blage heartily joined in singing "God be with you 
till we meet again," and the exercises closed with 
the Doxology and Rev. A. J. Fretz pronouncing the 
benediction. This occasion will long be remembered 
— a pleasant day well spent. Thus, happily, the 
third Fretz Family Reunion passed into history. 



RESPONSE 



To the Address of Welcome at the Fretz Family 
Reunion, August 27, 1898. 

BY REV. FRANKLIN K. PRETZ, A. B., B. S. 



Mr. Chairman and Dear Friends: 

It is certainly with a sense of pleasure and a 
certain feeling of pride that I shall endeavor to 
speak a few words of congratulation in response 
to the felicitious words of the speaker in his address 
of welcome. Would that I had the voice of one of 
olden time and the tongue of fire, or rather would 
that we could call from the great city of the dead 
some prophet of old, then we should hear a response 
worthy of the occasion; words that would be, in 
the language of Solomon, that great preacher of 
old, "Like apples of gold in pictures of silver." 

This is one of the pleasantest duties I have ever 
been called upon to perform. On a number of 
occasions in the social, educational and ecclesias- 
tial world, so to speak, I have been called upon 
in behalf of my associates and colleagues to re- 
spond, in some way or other, at different gather- 
ings. 

To-day I respond, not to strangers, but to those 
united with the ties of blood. We have been 
assured of our welcome here. Your words have 
not been spoken in vain. We are assured of your 
kindly intentions toward us as visitors. The 



"// ' 



hearty handshake, the kindly greeting, the words 
of welcome, every preparation you have made for 
our entertainment, all the trouble, labor and ex- 
pense to which you have gone to make the day one 
not soon to be forgotten— all these are silent testi- 
monials of your kindest desire for our entertain- 
ment and of your fraternal feeling towards us. 
They speak to us no doubtful language, but rather 
echo your goodness in tones of thunder. We 
appreciate all the above facts, and expect to spend 
a pleasant day in your midst. 

We have thrown ourselves upon your hospi- 
talit}'. We hope that many lasting bonds of affec- 
tion and union maj' here be formed to-day by the 
descendants of those Fretz brothers, who, nearly 
two centuries ago, left the historic Palatinate, or, 
more properly, Alsace and Lorrainne, and under- 
took the perilous journey to a strange country, 
where they could worship their God according to 
the dictates of their own conscience. Manifesta- 
tion after manifestation have come to us to-day, 
not alone in the kind words addressed to us, but in 
every preparation for our entertainment while here 
at the old homestead. How pleasant and enjoy- 
able is our visit when the hospitality is so great 
and the welcome so sincere. 

I respond to the words of the speaker, not only 
in behalf of those now present, but also in behalf 
of those yet to come during the day, and, above all, 
inbehalf of all those who, surrounded by the busy 
hum of industry on farm, in mill, workshop and 
factory, in behalf of those students of the family 
who may be poring over volumes of once forgot- 
ten lore, in behalf of our own soldier boys proudly 
bearing the family name, who have enlisted in our 
late Spanish-American war and are joyfully march- 
ing under "Old Glory" and cheerfully facing the 
dread dangers of disease, all for the cause of 
humanity. 

And now I pray that after time shall have 
chased the fallen worlds over the wide quicksands 
of eternity we all may be numbered in that glorious 



-7S— 

throng that shall march around the throne of God 
singing the myriad song of millions, that of Moses 
and the Lamb, and then shall we respond to the 
soul-inspiring words of the Divine Master when He 
will say: "Come ye, blessed of my Father and 
inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from' the 
foundation of the world. " That will be the greatest 
and grandest family reunion of all. where we shall 
be sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty 
and where the humblest child of earth shall be as 
well known in that concert chorus above as the 
first born sons of Jehovah's love. May we then 

"In the name of God advancing. 

Plow aud sow and labor now; ' 
Let there be m heu evening cometh 

Honest swent upon the brow. 
Then will come the Maister 

As work stops, ut set of sun, 
Saying, as he pays the wages, 

'Good, faithful one, well done' " 



MEMORIAL ADDRESS 



Delivered at the Third Quinquennial Reunion of th< 

Fretz Family at Bedminster, Pa., August 

27. 1898. 



BV PROF. A. F. K. KKOUT, OF PHILADELPHIA. 



Lord McCauley says: "A people who take no 
pnde m the noble achievements of remote ances- 
tors will never achieve anything worthy to be 
remembered with honest pride by their remote 
descendants. ' ' 

I never go through Germantown, near Phila- 
delphia, but my veneration moves within me- for 
the ancient buildings are so well protected from 
the ravages of time and decay, and bring back to 
memory the history of our Colonial times- but 
how much more beautiful to behold an aicient 
family which has prospered and flourished over 
the vicissitudes of time. 




DR. C. D. FRETZ. 



''It is a noble faculty of our nature which 
enables us to connect our thoughts, sympathies 
and happiness with what is distant in place or 
time; and, looking before and after, to hold com- 
munion at once with our ancestors and our poster- 
ity. There is a moral and affectionate respect for 
our ancestors which elevates the character and 
improves the heart. " 

Next to the sense of religious duty and moral 
feeling, I liardly know what should bear with 
stronger obligation on a liberal and enlightened 
mind than a consciousness of an allegiance with 
excellence which is departed. A consciousness, 
too, tbiat in its acts and conduct, and even in its 
sentiments and thoughts it may be actively oper- 
ating on the happiness of those that come after. 

Historians would probably record our ancestry 
as of humble origin, but on honest and unpreju- 
diced record will show that they always stood firm 
for the noble principles that humanity may live for. 

They gave their first allegiance lo their God 
and the second to the principles that have made 
them good citizens of our common country. 

"They were Christians by profession and prac- 
tice, and citizens and farmers by art." 

The great philosopher, Schopenhaur, one day 
absorbed in deep thought, was walking rapidly 
along the street. Oblivious to his surroundings, 
he ran squarely against a gentleman coming in the 
opposite direction. The person so unceremoni- 
ously impeded in his progress, cried out: "What 
is the matter with jou? Who are you? Where 
do you come from? Where are you going?" The 
philosopher, in great condescension, answered: 
"Yes; who am I? Where do I come from, and 
where am I going? Answer me these questions 
and I shall know what I have been trying to find 
out all my lifetime. " 

If he had consulted the Bible he would have 
found that he was the son of Adam. 

This was not the difficulty with our ancestors, 
who may have been less intelligent, for our histo- 



— So— 

rian informs us that they left their homes by the 
blue Alsatian mountains, "the land of their birth, 
the homes of their kindred and friends, the graves 
of their ancestors, and all the hallowed associa- 
tions of home and country to find themselves a 
new home, in a strange, far-off land, where they 
might worship God according to the dictates of their 
own conscience, without fear of molestation." 

The philosopher's ambition to fathom the in- 
finite never concerned them. They read the Bible; 
they had faith in their Creator, and His divine 
Spirit had revealed to them the reply to this great 
question, as it will to every one who is the sincere 
child of God. They brought their religion with 
them. Our family is a Christian family. Indeed, 
it would be a difficult task, in comparing the family 
histories of the world, to find one where its mem- 
bership were so universally associated with the 
various denominations of the Christian Church. 

"Christians there are mauy, ; 
• ^thei^ts not an}-." 

My friends, such an allegiance is the truest 
and highest element of greatness. 

Bismarck, in his address to the Reichstag in 
1887, gave a revised and terse expression of this 
heroic and sturd}^ devotion to principle by our 
ancient family and race. He put it in this way: 
"We Germans fear God, but we fear nothing else 
in the world." 

Let us not forget their patriotism and citizen- 
ship. Whatever makes men good Christians 
makes them good citizens. 

Their citizenship was of a distinctive type. 
They were subjects in the country they came 
from, but citizens in America. Thej^ were first 
and foremost in dissolving the aristocratic structure 
of society. 

They alwa5'S held that all are born free and 
equal, and that no man's opinion, however great 
his superiority in wealth, knowledge or personal 
advantages, should be entitled to any more weight 
than that of another. They supported the local 
government and the state, but would not hold 



— Si — 

office or perforin military service on account . of 
religious scruples. 

They were peaceable citizens of the common- 
wealth in the strictest sense of the term. Kehnert, 
after the battle of Jena, beautifully expressed 
their idea when he said; "Peace is the first duty 
of citizenship." 

Nor can I omit to express my opinion that their 
religious views on true citizenship had been 
strengthened by their antecedent history in 
Europe. Alsatia and the Rhine region was always 
the most fertile country in Europe, and from time 
immemorial the seat of wars and devastation. 

Those of you who have read Caesar remember 
the Sequanis, who \A'ere our ancestors, and were 
troubled by the Romans for five hundred years, so 
in subsequent time there was for them frequent 
war and devastation of their fruitful fields. For 
what? Not for any fault of theirs, not for princi- 
ple, but to satisfy the greed and ambition for 
domain and power of the political rulers of those 
remote ages. While they were "under tribute to 
Caesar and the Romans they had never been 
conquered like the servile Gauls. 

You may also remember that Caesar called the 
Germani and the ancient Britons barbarians; but 
we, the descendants of the ancient Germani, have 
lived to see the results of such a civilization. The 
Romans or Italians have degenerated as a nation, 
and if you do not believe it, come to Philadelphia 
and see them sweep the streets and play the 
grind-organ. 

Too many and unscrupulous office-holders are 
a menace to a nation, and history plainly teaches 
that they have been the prime source of many 
wars and revolutions. 

It is quite refreshing to know of a people who 
had laid down the custom for themselves to forego, 
in the exercise of their rights of citizenship, the 
privilege and danger of holding office. 

It is of vastly more importance to the com- 
monwealth that she may have peaceful, honest 



— 82— 

and industrious citizens than to have many office- 
holders to live on good salaries. 

A citizen, to become great and useful in his 
day and generation, need not be an office-holder or 
a general of an army. 

Washington, in his greatness as a general and 
President of these United States, was never 
esteemed more than when he served his country 
as the first citizen of the Republic. You all 
remember how the late George W. Childs, of 
Philadelphia, proved the truth of this statement. 
He could never be induced to take an office, even 
as a gift from the people, and yet there was no 
one whose influence and usefulness was greater in 
the metropolis of our state and the country in 
general. Nor need we go to the country at large, 
or to the brighter lights of our commercial cities, 
but in your very midst this truth is exemplified by 
many of your citizens of the present day, if you 
will only reflect for a moment. There is no sec- 
tion of our great country where this is more forci- 
bly illustrated than in my native county of Bucks. 

It was the cardinal principle of citizenship 
practiced by our ancestry that facilitated the 
building up of a great state; and a safer, more 
useful, patriotic and loyal people could nowhere 
be found. They illustrate the importance of the 
potent power exercised through the right of suf- 
frage; and their influence, no doubt, was always 
felt in the selection of honest judical and legisla- 
tive officials. 

By occupation the most of our ancestors were 
farmers, plain, every day, successful and prosper- 
ous farmers; not agriculturists, for they own farms 
and farm them in the newspapers. Farmers with a 
history, too. Their ancestors in the Rhine coun- 
tr)' were farmers, and supplied the corn to the 
Roman army during the incursions and occupation 
in Caesar's time, and all the subsequent invasions. 
They farmed the most fertile part of Europe, and 
our immediate ancestors in this country had not 
lost this trait. 










> 

o 

<3 




-83- 

Wheii I was a boy, a neighbor, in drawing a 
comparison, said: "Wherever there is a good 
farm your people are on it." Silence gave con- 
sent, and I did not insist on a proof of the propo- 
sition. I admitted it, nnd found in later years 
that history proved the .'^ame. 

I know that some people look upon farming as 
a mean occupation. This is not so. It is more 
honorable, and a thousand times so, than many 
other employments. 

Daniel Webster said: "The farmers are the 
founders of civilization and prosperity." And 
Beecher, the eloquent, said: "He that would look 
with contempt on the pursuits of a farmer is not 
worthy the name of a man." Another writer 
regards the topic in this light: "There seem to 
be but three ways for a nation to acquire wealth. 
The first is by war, as the ancients did, in plun- 
dering their conquered neighbors. This is rob- 
bery. The second by commerce, which, generally, 
is cheating. The third by farming, the only hon- 
est way wherein man receives a real increase of 
the seed thrown in the ground, in a kind of con- 
tinuous miracle, wrought by the hand of God in 
his favor, as a reward for his innocent life and his 
virtuous industry." 

Such were some of the most noble traits of our 
ancestry. They had many other virtues which 
will, indue time, be recorded to their credit. But 
their religion citizenship, occupation, simplicity 
of manner, humility of spirit, and honesty of pur- 
pose are traits of character that challenge our ad- 
miration, and remain to us a bright example and 
a rich legacy for contemplation. 

To many of us, in this reunion to-day, is given 
the privilege of looking in two ways. On one side 
our ancestry; on the other posterity, the root and 
the branches of the great family tree. And on 
an occasion like this, were we not to have words 
of advice and encouragement to those who will 
soon have to assume the responsibility of the des- 
tiny of our family and race, we would not be true 



— 84— 
to ourselves. The poet puts it in this way: 

"They that on glorious ancestors would enlarge, 
Produce their debt, instead of their discharge. 

"The inheritance of a distinguished and noble 
name is a proud inheritance to him who lives 
worthily of it, but it is a shame for a man to 
desire honor, only because of his noble progeni- 
tors, and not to deserve it by his own virtues." 
"The man who has nothing to boast of but his 
illustrious ancestors is like a potato, the best 
part underground." , , v. u 

I see present many young people, the brancnes 
of our family or some family equally as honorable 
as the Fretz family. There are many such m this 
county. I never stand before an audience of 
young people but what there comes up in my 
mind a picture of the great endowment with which 
they are possessed. To them belongs: . 
Health and strength, 
Hope ever bright, 
Adaptability to circumstances. 
Physical courage. 
In one of the institutions with which I am con- 
nected in Philadelphia, in the work of aiding 
young men to become useful and an ornament to 
society, there is an unwritten la\A' that pervades 
the work of aiding these young people to reach 
ideal manhood. The ideal man; what is he? 
He should have a sound body. 
An intellectual mind, 
A moral character, 
A religious training. 
If a young man is physically weak, he must 
work in the gymnasium If his mental develop- 
ment has been neglected he will be educated. 
He is brought under a good moral influence that 
will make a man of him, and the same charitable 
influence will help him become a Christian. Now, 
I believe that the customs and the civilization of 
our ancient family embodied this high ideal; and 
to this is due the prosperity that has blessed it 
since the arrival of our ancestors in America. If, 



— ^5— 

in your judgment, and of these four principles 
need strengthening in our family policy, which is 

it? . , ,, :, 

Do we need more physical strength.-' 

More general education? 

A better moral training or redemption from 

heathenism? 

Do we need a more general intelligence. 

"The greatest work in the world and an effect 
of the greatest prudence and care is to educate 
and build up a man, and to form and fash'.on him 
to piety justice, temperance, and all kinds ot 
honest and worthy actions." Varle says: An 
education is a companion which no misfortune can 
depress, no crime destroy, no enemy alienate, no 
despotism enslave. At home, a friend; abroad, an 
introduction; in solitude, a solace; and in society, 
an ornament. Without it, what is man? A splen- 
did slave, a reasoning savage." 

The strongest bulwark for the preservation 
and advancement of all that we, and other families 
hold dear, is a .seat of learning at home that takes 
the public school by one hand and the university 
by the other. The worst kind of extravagance is 
sending money and students abroad to obtain a 
preparatory education. 

There is a special kind of courage we are m 
need of to show the loyalty and fealty to our family 

and people. 

You all know we are descendants of a Lrcrman 
people who spoke a dialect of that language in 
their home in Europe, where the same is spoken 
to-day as it was then. Instead of being called 
Alsatian Germans, they are called Pennsylvania 
Germans. This was the language of our ances- 
tors almost to the present day. This was their 
mother language, and the first language by which 
many of us learned a mother's love and a kind 
father's care for his children. Yet how many 
there are, who, when they go abroad in the world, 
are ashamed of it and have not the courage to 
acknowledge the fact, but which they cannot 



—86 — 

deny, so long as they bear the honest ancestral 
name. 

A remarkable instance came to my notice a few- 
years ago in Philadelphia. In registering a class 
of students, one of tlie young men handed me a 
slip that bore the name of one of the good, honest 
old families of Bucks county. With the intention 
of preparing the way for a personal interest in 
his behalf , I said: "Are you related to the people 
of that name in Bucks County?" "No," said he, 
"I am not." I saw in his face that he was trying 
to hide a fact, and that he had not the moral courage 
to acknowledge the truth, thinking, probably, 
that I might have less esteem for him because he 
was of Pennsylvania German ancestry; and yet 
he was a very excellent young man, and a model 
student, and is now preaching the gospel. 

Now, my young friends, such a courage is 
a reflection on ycur ancestors. You ought to 
remember that they came to this country, not as 
adventurers, but by the earnest invitation and 
solicitation of William Penn, the first after his 
own people. 

The mother tongue of a people is ridiculed 
only by those of narrow and selfish views, by 
people who are so uninformed that they always 
have the impression our forefathers came from 
Holland instead of Germany. Elegance of speech 
and manner are of prime importance, and the 
people of every tongue have abundant work to 
mantaiu this, even if they can speak but one lan- 
guage. All have their tribulations in this respect. 

I remember, when I lived at Wyoming, I made 
a friendly call on one of my most estimable patrons, 
who was the manager of a coal mine. He explained 
to me the process of preparing coal for the mar- 
ket. In .seperating the coarse from the fine, he 
said: "We pass it over a screen that has fourteen 
'oles tothe hinch." 

You may also remember the Englishman who 
went to the blacksmith shop to have his horses 
shod. When reminded of the poor condition of 



^ 



k 



—87— 

the hoofs of the horses, he said: "It it not the 
jumpin' o'er the furze that 'urts the 'orses' 'oofs, 
but the 'aniuier, 'amruer, 'ammer on the 'ard, 
'ard 'jghway." 

It is no disgrace to know more than one lan- 
guage, as many of you do, for ideas, like the 
freight of commerce, can be moved with much 
greater facility on a double than a single track; 
on a broad, rather than a narrow gauge. Your 
language, and that of your ancestors, cannot 
detract from your nobilit}' of character and 
worthy achievements. 

It was no disgrace to William Penn that he was 
an linglishman by birth; Girard, a Frenchman; 
the Greers. Scotch-Irish; Martin Luther, a Ger- 
man; and David Rittenhouse, the great mathema- 
tician, a Pennsylvania German. 

"Honor niul fame Irnni vo cciiditicn rife; 
Aet V. eJl your part, tLertiu the honur lies." 

But, my }oung friends, there are other things 
that should also claim your attention. The his- 
tory of the family has been written, and the 
author has performed next to herculean task; 
and our gratitude is ever due to him for his unself- 
ish devotion to a work that will wrest from obliv- 
ion the genealogy, of a family, that was contempo- 
rary with the Roman Empire itself. But all has 
not been written. Theie remains much to be 
gathered by the careful and observing student of 
annals, right in your midst. 

It will be due to you whether the ancient land- 
marks of our people shall be preserved. I do not 
mean the landmarks that define the limits of your 
farms, although, could they exercise the power of 
speech, they would become the most authentic of 
historians. Let me illustrate: In the city of 
Philadelphia there is a building. It stands in the 
middle of Penn Square, generally known as the 
public building. It is occupied by the combiners 
and anti-combiners, called city officials. A most 
peaceable set of individuals, because they do all 
their fighting before they get into office. After 



—88— 

they get there the outs are supposed to do that, 
while the ins are contented. 

In a large room in that building are many of 
the Colonial records of Pennsylvania. . In one of 
the volumes I read the release which Fairman, 
William Penn's faithful surveyor, had given for 
payment, amongst other things, for surveying the 
Manor of Perkasie, in Bucks Count}'. No one 
knows the exact boundary of this manor, and the 
name would, probablj', have shared a like fate 
had not our ancestors, when they organized the 
congregation near Blooming Glen, named it, to 
honor William Penn, by selecting his favorite 
name, Perkasie. 

And the person who selected the same name 
for that prosperous little citj' on the sunny slope 
of East Rockhill did a noble and grand act in 
perpetuating a name that is truly historic, "To 
the manor born," and giving it a commercial, as 
well as a religious association. 

Bedminster has a much unwritten history, and 
I hope among you there may be a coming genius 
who will be able to lift the veil and record, that 
all may read who love ancestry and home. 

Deep Kuii ! Deep Run I 
I think I here thee come. 
Murmuring the story 
Of a people whose glory 
Kemaiiis uinvritlen, unsung. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS 



Delivered at the Third Reunion of the P'retz 

Family, at Bedminster, Bucks County 

Pennsylvania, August 27, 1898, 



BY RF.V. .\. T. FRETZ, OF MILTOX, N. J. 



DnAK Fkiends: 

Words cannot express our gratitude to our 
Heavenly Father for the pleasure of meeting at a 
third reunion of the PVetz Familv, to look once 



— 89— ■ 

more into the faces of those met here on former 
reunions, and also to greet new faces, met with us 
for the first time. Those departed since our last 
reunion may we hope to meet at the final reunion 
of saints in the Father's Kingdom on High. 

During the past five years we have learned but 
little that is new concerning the Fretz ancestors of 
Bucks County to present to you to-day. Having 
successfully traced our ancestry in America, the 
origin of the family in Europe is now a matter of 
great interest to us. As it is a matter of interest 
to know who our ancestors were on American soil, 
and their history, so it is of much interest to know 
who our progenitors were in the Old World, and 
something of their lives. However, as yet but 
little effort has been made to get clues to resident 
Fretz's in the Fatherland by which the family 
might be traced back to earlier generations, and 
much of their history learned. We are also 
curious to know from what nationality we spring, 
whether we originate v.ith the Spaniards, the 
Greeks, Romans, Gauls, Germans or Swiss. The 
solution of this latter problem rests with the 
establishing of the founder of the family, and which 
may now be within our province. 

' It is recorded in the book of 'Heraldry, ' ' found 
in the public library of Vienna, that the family of 
Bretz, as formerly written, had its origin at Trier, 
on the Lower Rhine, where Fabius Bretius, a 
Roman General of Cavalry, located about 224 A. 
D., having been a native of Capua, in Southern 
Italy. He married Olfa, daughter of a German 
Duke, and died 263 A. D. In the line of descent 
was Daniel Bretz, who died in 1681, leaving two 
sons, Felix and Christof, one of whom is the 
ancestor of John Philip Bretz, who was born in 
Windersheim, near Creutnacht-cn-the-Rhine, in 
1755, and who emigrated to America and settled in 
Lancaster County. Pennsylvania, where he died 
and is buried. Members of this family now spell 
the name Pretz. 

While it is not probable that we descend from 



— yo— 

the line of the above Daniel Bretz, it is possible 
that we do descend from another line of the same 
family. 

The discrepancy in the spelling of the name 
Bretz and Fretz may be due to members of the 
family at different times, in various localities, 
changing the spelling, as is often the case, an ex- 
ample of which is found in the Beidler family, 
in which we have discovered, in old documents, the 
names of members of the same family differently 
spelled, as Poidlcr. Pidler, Beitler and Beidler. 
In view of the fact that many names are thus 
changed, it is not at all strange that the name of 
our ancestors, in the course of time, should like- 
wise have become changed and for hundreds of 
years written Fretz, Pretz, etc. 

It is possible that the names Bretz, Fretz, 
and Pretz are identical, having the same common 
origin. 

The fact that Fabius Bretius located not far 
from the place of the nativity of our ancestors, 
giving color to the idea that the latter were de- 
scendants of the former. Manheim, near which 
place tradition says our ancestors were located, is 
about one hundred miles east from Trier, on the 
Upper Rhine, in the vicinity of which Fretz's 
are still to be found, and about one hundred and 
thirty miles south from Trier, at Gebweiler and 
Muehlhausen, are also located many Fretz's. If 
thus the foundation of the family in the F'ather- 
land is established, it is then evident that the 
family originates with the Romans, the nation of 
the Caesars, and assisted in the founding of that 
once mighty Empire, beheld the splendors thereof 
in the days of its power, marched and fought 
in her campaigns, sat in her great assemblies, wit- 
nessed the contests of the gladiators with wild 
beasts, and the distruction of Christians in the 
Coliseum, and the general debaucheries of the 
times, and finally the decline and fall of the Roman 
Empire. While it is not altogether pleasing to 
note their earlier practices in their perhaps hea- 




HON. SAMUEL F. GEIL. 



—ijl — 

thenish state, it is nevertheless history, and 
we are glad to know that in the course of time they 
emerged from the darkness of the ages into the 
light of a higher civilization and Christianity'. 

It would be very mteresting indeed if the an- 
cestry could be traced from the remote times 
down through the long lines of generations to the 
present. 

Far back in the distant past our still earlier 
ancestors were born somewhere in the Old World. 
Surrounded as they were by the social and politi- 
cal affairs of the nations, they mingled in the 
scenes of the times and passed through periods of 
great confusion. They heard of wars and rumors 
of wars, witnessed the clash of contending armies 
and fall of thrones. 

No doubt some of our remote ancestors engaged 
in the might}' conflicts that shook the continents, 
drenched fields in blood, and demolished powers, 
or were themselves conquered, to make the history 
we now read in large quarto volumes. Could 
we live over, in retrospect, the lives of our ancestors 
from remote times, we would undoubtedly see 
some of them performing deeds of valor, sharing 
the honors and glories of men, occupying at times 
high and exalted positions, as warriors and states- 
men, or being akin to royalty, mingling in oflRcial 
capacities in the Royal Court scenes of the king- 
dom, or perhaps occupying the throne itself. As 
tJie 3/ears roiled on, and generations came and 
went with the ever changing scenes in the great 
drama of life, the time finally came when our 
ancestors of many generations removed, saw not 
only the triumph and reverses among nations in 
the temporal and political world, but they likewise 
saw the growth of affairs in the spiritual or re- 
ligious world, entered the controversy, some of them 
espousing a righteous cause, and became subjects 
of direful persecution. 

It is probable our ancestry has its origin in 
heathendom or Jewry, then probably became con- 
verts to Catholicism, and continued thus until 



— CJ2 — 

the dawning of the Reformation. Our forefathers 
saw above the rehgious horizon that bright morn- 
ing star of Protestantism, John WickHffe. They 
saw the hght as it loomed up, becoming brighter 
and brighter. They heard the anathemas of a 
Martin Luther against an intolerant Papacy. 
They saw the Reformation take deep root in the 
spiritual soil of the Fatherland, and espoused its 
cause, some worshiping with Luther, others with 
Calvin and Zwinglie and still others, among whom 
were our earlier ancestors, gathered themselves in 
humble worship with the eloquent, persuasive, 
pious Menno Simon, as his followers, and became 
thereby the subjects of horrible persecutions, suf- 
fering reproach, imprisonment and death for the 
Master. The fires of the inquisition raged in vain 
to induce them to return to their former faith. 
The thunders and casualities of armed warfare 
shook not their heaven-born resolutions. The 
stake, with burning fagots, which licked up the 
lives of Huss, Latimer, Ridley, Cranmer and hosts 
of others, did not drive them in terror back to the 
fold they had deserted. 

Some, in the great religious conflict , fell pris- 
oners of war, and sealed the cause they espoused 
with their own lives, while their children lived to 
tell the story of their heroic, self-denying and 
Christ-like sufferings. But now again, in course 
of time, other enemies arose. When the former 
persecutors (Catholics) relented, then the State 
Church (Reformed or Calvinists) commenced, and 
kept up a relentless persecution of the Mennonites, 
on account of which a large number fled from their 
homes in their native land and emigrated to 
America, the land of their adoption. Among these 
were our pioneer ancestors, who, on the invitation 
of the good William Penn, who was much alike 
wdtli them in faith and practice, came across the 
ocean to the Province of Pennsylvania, where 
they were promised liberty of conscience in the 
worship of God. and here they established their 
homes in the v/ilderness of the New World and 



-93- 

immediately erected shrines of worship to the God 
of their fathers, and blessed of God, they have 
maintained their worship without molestation to 
this day, and this to them has proved to be their 
"promised land of Canaan," for, aside from the 
assurance of the security of life and liberty of con- 
science, they found it a goodly land, a beautiful 
land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to which 
a kind and merciful Providence led them. Here 
they possessed the land, made the "wilderness 
to blossom as the rose," erected homes in which 
God and the Redeemer of Mankind was honored 
and served. Here, too, they prospered and multi- 
plied exceedingly, and their descendants have 
scattered abroad through the land, until represent- 
atives of the family are to be found in nearly 
every state and territory of the Union, and some 
in other lands. 

Since our last reunion, we have learned but 
little more concerning the Fretz ancestors. The 
time of their arrival in America is still in doubt. 

The ancestor Christian Fretz, Sr.,of Tinicum 
Township, made his will in writing Januarj' 22, 
1777, was proved Apr. 2b. 17S4, and is on record 
at Doylestown, Pa. 

The name of his wife was Elizabeth , and 

his children are given in the will in the following 
order, viz: Daniel, Abraham, Christian, Mark, 
Barbara and Esther. 

Jacob Yoder, of New Brittain Township, is 
mentioned as his son-in-law. 

From the will, it is shown conclusively that 
John Fretz, of Lancaster County, Barbara (P>etz) 
Longenecker, Jacob Fretz and Henry Fretz, whose 
history is recorded in the Fretz history, were not 
his children. 

To the pioneer ancestors we owe a great debt 
of gratitude for their courage and bravery in main- 
taining their Christian warfare, for the sake of 
which they gave up their homes in the Fatherland 
and braved the perils of the ocean to seek new 
homes in a far-off and strange land, thus bequeath- 



- 94- 

ing to us the noble heritage of Christianity, and 
making it possible for us to be born in this great 
land of freedom and religious liberty, the best 
country God ever gave to man, God's land of 
greatest destiny. 

May the virtues and piety of the ancestors rest 
upon and abide with us, until time shall be no 
more. 




Chii.stian Fietz Homestead, Tiiiicmn, Bik1<8 Co., Pa. 



THE FOURTH FRETZ FAMILY REUNION. 



The Fourth Fretz Family reunion was to have 
been held on Saturday, Aug. 29, 1903, but as the 
day proved stormy and only about 100 persons were 
present it was not thought advisable to hold the regu- 
lar program, and the reunion was postponed until 
the loth of September. Ho\\'ever, those that came 
remained and enjoyed the day. Once within sight 
of the old homestead, the enthusiasm of the 
descendants of John and Christian Fretz was pleas- 
ing to see. Here on the site where John Fretz laid 
the foundation of a remarkable family, nothing but 
good will and friendliness prevailed. The old house 
was viewed with pleasure. It stands on a hill in the 
midst of some of the most fertile land in Bucks Co., 
with beautiful valleys in front and in the rear. 
When the first house was built is not known, but 
in 1820, Deacon Abraham Fretz, grandson of John 
Fretz, built the main building of red stone, (now 
standmg in a good slate of preservation), and in 
1821, added the one story and a half addition, which 
he built of the stone from the first building, that stood 
some twenty five yards below it. 

"Are you a Fretz?" "Where do you come from?" 
were questions frequently asked, and which led to 
many recollections and comparing of notes. New 
relationships were discovered, and it was learned in 
many cases that certain persons were doubly or even 
trebly related to the clan. 

"Many of the family have not yet been dis- 
covered," said Dr. A. F. Myers, of Blooming 
Glen. "Not long ago I picked up an acquaintance 
with a man whom I found to be a relative. 
In the history of the family only 14,000 
names are contained. I traced up hundreds 
more than that; half of the people in Hill- 
town township should be included, and if 



-96- 

they were, the total would be 19,000. With the 
Moyer members it is probably 30,000. It 
was only discovered a few years ago that 
the Moyers were so closely related; so, you 
see, our history is not yet complete by a 
great deal. 

"Years ago the Fretz always had large 
families and were proud of them. They were 
extremely healthy, consumption being unknown, 
until in later years when there have been inter- 
marriages and the blood has been weakened. I 
think that the law which was passed forbidding 
the marriage of first cousins is a very good one 
and should have been passed sixty years ago." 

After a sumptuous dinner, prepared by the 
ladies; and in order not to eutirelj'^ disappoint those 
who were present, brief exercises were held. Pre- 
sident Allen M. Fretz called the meeting to order 
and explained about the postponement of the re- 
union to Sept. 10, after which patriotic songs were 
sung, and J. F. Hendricks, A. M., of Doyles- 
town, Pa., made a short address. President 
Allen M. Fretz, and Historian A. J. Fretz made 
a few remarks in explanation of the proposition to 
publish a Family Bulletin to contain the changes as 
far as possible of births, deaths, marriages, chang- 
es of residence, etc., and a history of the Fretz 
family to the fourth generation, with reports of 
all the reunions so far held, including addresses 
delivered, and illustrations, to be published in book 
form. 



THE POSTPONED REUNION. 



On Thursday, Sept. 10, 1903, was held the 
Fourth Quinquennial Fretz Family Reunion, at the 
old Fretz homestead in Bedminster, Pa., where 
nearly one thousand of the descendants gathered, 
from Bucks and Montgomery counties; Philadelphia, 
New Jersey, and elsewhere. 

Uopropitious weatlier prevailed in the early part 



— 9 / — • ■ 

of the day, which undoubtedly kept many awa}'. 
Karly in the day tlie members of the family began to 
gather in the beautiful grove to spend a sociable day. 
Old acquaintances were renewed, new ones made, 
and many visited the old homestead where John Fretz 
and his children settled and laid the foundation of 
the family in this country. Those present represent- 
ed almost every vocation, and notable for the great 
number in the various professions, worthy descend- 
ants of their stalwart progenitors, exhibiting the re- 
sult of the inheritance of sterling characteristics, de- 
veloped with the time, and devoid in a great measure 
of the rigid strictness of discipline wliich character- 
ized the first settlers. Sociability was a marked 
characteristic, and those in the throng found little 
time for literary exercises, which were cut 
short in order to enable those present to mingle 
with their kin. In the gathering were Meyers, 
Moyers, Bishops, Kratzs, Shaddingers, and 
others not bearing the name of Fretz, but close- 
ly related to the family by intermarriages. 

The formal exercises were begun in the after- 
noon, when the clouds had cleared away and the 
bright sunlight was streaming in the openings be- 
tween the trees. The meeting was called to order 
by the President of the Fretz Historical Association, 
Rev. A. M. Fretz, and a short program was ren- 
dered, opening with the audience singing "Native 
Land," after which Rev. Abiah Fretz, of Phila- 
delphia, pronounced the invocation. 

Owing to the absence of Dr. Oliver H. Fretz, 
of Quakertown, Pa., his address was read by 
Rev. Franklin K. Fretz. This was followed by an 
interesting address by Dr. Alfred E. Fretz, of 
Sellersville, Pa. 

Miss Rose Fretz, of Pipersville, gave a very 
fine reading entitled "Mortification of the Flesh," 
in a manner that won the applause of the audience. 
Following the singing of "My Country 'Tis of 
Thee," J. F. Hendricks, A. M., of Doylestown, 
Pa., delivered an interesting and eloquent 
address. 



~9.S— 

^ A beautiful solo was sung by Miss Elsie 
Thompson, of Camden, N. J. 

Rev. A. J. Fretz, of Milton, N. J., delivered 
the historical address, and the program closed with 
the singing of "Greenville." 

At the close of the exercises an organization 
was effected by electing permanent officers to serve 
the association for the coming five years, as 
follows: President, Rev. A. M. Fretz, of Souder- 
ton; vice President, Reed Fretz, of Bedminster; 
Secretary, Dr. C. D. Fretz, of Sellersville; Trea- 
surer, Francis M. Fretz, of Bedminster: Executive 
committee, J. P>anklin Fretz, of Bedminster; 
Rev. Franklin K. Fretz, of Quakertown; H. Ervin 
Fretz, of Fretz; Mahlon M. Fretz, of Bedminster; 
Dr. John H. Fretz, of Lambertville, N. J. 



A RESUME OF THE FRETZ FAMILY, 

Delivered at the Fourth Fretz Family Reunion, 

Sept. lo, 1903. 



BY OLIVER H, FRETZ, A. M , M. D. 



Two hundred years have passed since our 
fore-fathers settled at this place. And what changes 
have been wrought! By their labor the primitive 
forests were cleared, the swamps drained and 
"the wilderness was made to rejoice and 
blossom as the rose." They laughed at the diffi- 
culties almost insurmountable, and boldly walked 
forth into a region uninhabited and waste, and in 
a short time the ancient prophecy was fulfilled, 
in a literal senes, which says: — "Every valley 
shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall 
be brought low." 

Our fore-fathers were tillers of the soil and 
ever walked worthy of their vocation. They never 
stooped from their lofty throne to defile themselves 
by contamination with intemperance, licentiousness 
or any other form of evil. They proved the 




Dr. a. F. MYERS 



—99— 

honor of toil by illustrating in their own persons 
its alliance with a sober, righteous and godly 
life. And after all, does not labor achieve 
grander victories and weave more durable tro- 
phies and hold under sway more than a conquer- 
or. The name of the conqueror becomes taint- 
ed and his monuments crumble, but labor 
convertz his red battle-fields into gardens and 
erects monuments significant of better things. 
We cannot pay too much homage to the early 
settlers of Pennsylvania who have made this fair 
state what world-wide travellers declare it to be, — 
the most beautiful spot on God's footstool, nay, a 
veritable garden of the Lord. 

But there are those who, in their false pride, 
laugh at the Pennsylvania Dutch. Their history 
has not as yet been written. Within recent years 
we have begun more and more to appreciate the 
work of the Pennsylvania German settlers. Al- 
though they chose an occupation so humble and 
lived surrounded by a few schools, yet in many 
instances they could with profit be imitated by us 
to-day. 

As a religious people our ancestors were sur- 
passed by few. Whether a mile or five miles 
intervened between them and their places of wor- 
ship, it made little difference to them. When the 
day for service came they were there and that to 
worship. When a wanderer came along he found 
the latch-strings of their humble dwelling hanging 
out, and he was treated as by good Samaritans. 
When their daily work was done and when evening 
wrapped the earth in darkness, they gathered around 
the hearth, there to spend a pleasant evening, or 
perchance they went to some gathering; but when 
they retired thanks went up to their Creator for his 
guidance and protection. Among them peace reign- 
ed. 

As a consequence of their mode of living educa- 
tion was neglected, a fault for which their sons are 
now making amends. Their minds are receptive 
and the family name is now seen in nearly every 



• — 102 



friends," or Sps ''Tn ^T^ '° »«' "W 
ances." yo^^ "^^^ J° »='ke new acquaint- 

old homestead anT^u I """^-^ '° "'^'t the 
WU. and withom a doubT"? "«' °" '"'"der 
take of the good thiniprepaUbv th""^ '" P''^" 
daughters of the gra^nd'^ohrPretz fa^'^f^ "'"" "'"' 

i^ b«t"L:ran'5';4rtt "^T^ P'-e '' 

name we bear, who abhorre5l^d'"fl '1'"^ "^""^ 
religious intolerance which at Tht , '™'° "^^ 
both life and liberty in fL ,i '™^ menaced 
ed the perils of an ocean l„v "°1'^' "'"' ^rav- 
adventJe was frau/ht withT^^" "•'™ ^"""^ an 
aid dangers, and potbirdeath' *"'"' '^^''^^''ips 

Do sucrhve?;.d"'r'^ "^"' °"^ ^^^'^ f^'h<=^^? 
■eft our fatherlfnd' Zh Til "'r™"'" ^^^^ 
associations behind, have faced ™'"'' ^"^ 

m a wretched sailing vessel a u "'"tery sea 

the familiar hearthln'^r'of ?he Rh? ^"^'i^"?^'' 
the uncertainties of a /„! ' • , ^^meland for 
impenetrable wilds of 'Buct"co '"' '" '"' 

have imtu";"„s"witrtht':"''°"°^ '"''^y- They 
themselves possLsed ,■ nd , rnvTm^d"' T'"^^' ""^y 
feanng, liberty lov:ing peopie""^To "'" °°'^- 
we owe to a large ex ci^P ^ "'em do 

of . prosperity whiclf'tas 'been°""o'''"' ""^^^"^ 
It IS essential therefore fW .'''^en our portion, 
small tribute to their ™. t °''" at least a 

this manner a^ si'a 'ed "Te^iLs'"' h"""'."'"^ "■ 
we should be that thlJ . , "°"' thankful 

»tep and that t'he' inflSncl^'a '."^ """^"'-^ 
an aristocratic monarch no oiLr 1 „ P"'''"" °' 

'"Z stuch^ fV'^rv°"lr°p^^- °" ^'^^ 

co^..°tr-X -iJir"- aut; t^ th- 
asagreat family,' p-lXireVr ^aTt .o"„-rV:h; 



\ 




— 103- 



country which has nurtured and sustained us, and 
have we made it better by our presence here? We 
sincerely hope so, and that the grand object of life, 
the improvement of society and of ourselves, may 
not have been left unaccomplished. Without any de- 
sire to boast, I think we can safely say that the stamp 
of our family has been left ineffaceably upon the 
history of our state and particularl}' of this the 
pioneer county, a goodly portion of which was 
left in the care of our worthy ancestors b}^ the 
Penn proprietors themselves. They used their trust 
to good advantage, and handed it over to their 
heirs and successors in a vastly improved 
condition. 

After a time the descendants became so 
numerous that they were obliged to spread out, 
the farm could no longer hold them all, they 
adopted other callings, and thus in various ways, 
has the entire land felt their influence. They 
have always loved peace, and yet in every con- 
flict in which this country has been engag- 
ed, they did not lag behind, but fought 
shoulder to shoulder with the bravest. It 
therefore seems to me we should consider 
it a privilege to claim connection with such 
a family and that it is eminently fitting 
we should bind ourselves together in this 
manner. As the father of a family gathers his 
children around the fireside and rejoices in that 
they all belong to one and the same household, so 
we should remember that we have all descended from 
a common fireside, and retain the same interest in 
one another even though our several duties may call 
us to the four corners of the earth. An American is 
an American the world over, and if we meet a fellow 
countryman in a foreign land, how glad we are to 
own our nationality, and rejoice in having a friend. 
So it is in our big family. Do we meet a Fretz in 
our travels, how delighted we are to claim kinship 
and feel we have met almost a brother. This may 
possibly all seem strange to those among us who are 
Fretzs merely by adoption, but we trust that ere this 



— io6 — 

the generous impulse and lofty purpose of the off 
spring may but be the rich legacy of an ancestor or 
ancestry of the long ago. We may owe to an- 
cestry that which we can never measure. How 
happy the condition when we can truly obey the 
commandment, "Honor thy father and thy mother, ' ' 
when in recalling their lives we can cherish their 
memory, when we can honor them by emulating 
their virtues and holding up their example as a 
pattern to follow and when we can transmit, for 
them and for us, honored names and noble blood 
to generations yet to come. 

But an ancestral name does not necessarily 
imply wealth or rank or station. On the great re- 
cord shine names that have blessed the world — that 
to houses and lands, to finance and worldly goods, 
to rank and station were strangers and that perchance 
at the time were despised of the world. Their 
worth and work could not yet be known. The 
sweet and beautiful and fruitful and godly life of 
many a poor and humble soul long agone 
has been a cup of blessing, a fountain of 
life, to hosts and generations, ages and climes. 
Bunyan in jail, centuries ago, forsaken and 
scorned for pointing out the way of life is liv- 
ing today — living in the hearts of millions, 
living throughout the Christian world, living to 
live fovever. And oh, the hearts and souls that 
through his life and teaching have found the way — 
have found comfort and peace and been baptized in 
hope and glory. 

We meet to-day to remember and honor an an- 
cestry whose seed has been blessed and whose worth 
and work the world may well note. It was in the 
early morning of the country's history that our 
progenitors sought a refuge in the wilds of the new 
world. The province of Pennsylvania was still under 
British rule. A primeval forest still covered most 
of this vast territory and over these broad acres the 
wild Indian still chased the fleet deer and the savage 
beast roamed at will. In the solitude and silence of 
this far-away forest retreat, these godly men found 




A.G. MUMMA 



a place where they could serve their God as their 
conscience taught. They were primitive and typical 
Mennonites. Their religious belief was an out- 
growth of the Reformation — of that great religious 
awakening that in the early part of the i6th century 
so stirred Germany, Holland, Switzerland, France 
and other parts of Europe? The Mennonites from 
the beginning became a distinct and peculiar people. 
Their faith made them so. Their faith made them a 
particular object of persecution. Their belief was 
firm and their disciplme was severe. The}'' accepted 
the Word of God as they found it and they accepted 
it with great literalness. God and his Word was 
their only guide. They were a plain and humble 
people. They abhorred all worldly vanities. Be- 
yond them was the world and the}' could not marry 
outside the fold. They accepted the injunction, 
"Swear not at all" and hence could not take an oath 
of any kind or for any purpose. They accepted the 
commandment "Thou shalt not kill" and hence 
were opposed to capital punishment and could not 
bear arms. To shed blood was wrong whether in 
war or execution of law. They accepted the in- 
junction, "Resist not evil. Whosoever shall smite 
thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 
If any man will sue thee at the law and take away 
thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. W^hosoever 
shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 
Go to him that asketh of thee and from him that 
would borrow of thee turn not thou away." 

Hence they could not go to law. They could 
not establish or maintain their rights by force. They 
could not defend against wrong. To cherish ill-will 
was sin and they could not take the sacrament or 
meet their God unless they were at peace with all 
men. Their gospel was literally and veritably a 
gospel of peace and love and good will. Govern- 
ments recognized and practiced what they regarded 
as wrong. Hence they could not participate in 
government or perform any civic duties. They did 
not oppose government but they simpl^^ sought to 
withdraw from what their conscience could not 



— loS— 

• approve. They were content to live as strangers 
in the earth and to devote all their energies to 
preserve the purity of their lives and to live as 
they believed. They accepted the condition that 
man should eat his bread in the sweat of his 
brow, industry and frugality were cardinal virtues- 
if not sacred duty— and as a people they were 
comfortably circumstanced or well-to-do. Honesty 
and honor and truth were a part of their faith, 
their creed was examplified by their practice and 
they had no use for bond or note or security or 
witness. A gospel of love meant benevolence and 
charity; feeding the hungry, clothing the naked 
and visiting the distressed. They needed no 
poor houses. 

These people must renounce their faith or leave 
the country. They could sacrifice all but faith. 
They found in this new land the place they sought. 
The wilds of America became a world's asylum 
for religious freedom and to-day the great body 
of the Mennonites of the world live in peace and 
serve their God beneath the Stars and Stripes, 

John and Christian Fretz did not forget their 
faith in their new home. For generations the stock 
was strictly Mennonite, and a large portion of the 
stock is Mennonite to-day. Some have become 
identified with the new school. While changing 
conditions have brought about .some concessions 
in matters of practice, in the old school the creed 
remains practically the creed of Reformation days. 

The origin and faith of our progenitors has 
influenced the whole stock, has largely made it 
what it is and has given to it certain well-defined 
characteristics. The Fretz stock— speaking of 
those that have gone before— were a plain and 
humble folk. They shunned all manner of 
vanity and show. Though loyal, law-abiding, 
liberty-loving citizens, they perhaps held no office 
save in the congregation unless it were in local affairs. 
They voted, at least in later years, and voted 
patriotically and they were of one political 
faith. 



— log — 

They had the confidence and esteem of their 
fellow-men. Though seeking and encouraging such 
education as supplied their humble wants, though 
abreast with their neighbors, they were not a people 
of great learning. They were German. They were 
industrious. They were largely tillers of the soil. 
They were opposed to secret societies. The Bible, 
the prayer book, the hymn book were a part of the 
household. They were a people of character and 
piety — of faith exemplified by works — of honor 
and honesty imd truth. Thtir lives were 
clean and their walk and conversation ex- 
emplary. Their conscientiousness is exempli- 
fied in the incident of the one who ran after the man 
to whom he had sold a cow to return the amount for 
which he felt he had sold the cow beyond her 
value. 

Despite their humble walk, who can 
measure the power for good of this people 
to the community and the world? The stock 
extends far and wide. It stretches to dis- 

tant States. It numbers many thousands. 

The stock is no longer in retirement. It is taking 
its place in the great activities of the 
world. It is found in the halls of learning, 
in the various professions and in public 
life. It is found in positions of honor and 
trust. It has entered and become prominent 
in secret societies. It is winning laurels in 
every field. Yea, in patriotism and valor precious 
life blood was offered in battle for the union. It is 
going into the great arena of the world to measure 
swords with the best. Degrees and titles, station 
and distinctions are being added to the page of this 
quaint and primitive and rankless people. To the 
humble abode of our fathers are being added accom- 
plishments and culture, adornment and comfort and 
luxury. The i6 century of persecuted, unassertiug, 
retiring Germany is blending into the progressive, 
self-asserting, aspiring, irrepressible 20 century 
of America. 

We have surpassed our fathers in matters of 



•I lO- 



the world, but can we equal them in piety and 
purity, in conscience and love? We owe them 
highest honor and we honor them best by adding 
to the record a worthy life. 'Tis ours while we 
live to seek all the good and do all the good we 
can so that we too may be of betterment to the 
world in life and of worthy example when we are 
gone. 'Tis ours so to live and that we may re- 
join those gone before in the Grand Reunion above 
and that those still to come may find the way. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 

Delivered at the Fourth Reunion of the Fretz 

Family Sept. lo, 1903. 



BY KEV. A. J. FRETZ. 



Dear Friends: The five years since we last met 
on a reunion occasion, seems to have quickly passed, 
and in God's gracious providence, we are again 
assembled here, though not all, for some with the 
passing time have passed on to their eternal rewards. 
At each recurring reunion, while the number is in- 
deed argumented by on coming generations, still, 
with painful regret we are reminded of the absence 
of familiar faces who have passed beyond our earthly 
vision, to await our coming. 

In appearing before you to-day I fear that much 
of my address will be history repeated, as I have not 
been able to learn much that is new concerning the 
Fretz Family, and I was somewhat concerned as for 
material for an address for this occasion. I had 
hoped to learn something of the more remote history 
of the family in Switzerland, and I had also antici- 
pated the finding of a crest or coat of arms of the 
family, through correspondence with a, Fretz, whom 
I had learned was resident in Zurich Switzerland, 
and who had for fourteen years resided in California, 
but for some cause I failed to get in communication 
with him, and nothing has been learned so far of the 
family in Europe. We will therefore have to confine 
our remarks of the ancestors and family in America. 



— 1 r I — 

Nearly two hundred years ago, three brothers 
left their home near the beautiful and historic Rhine 
in the fatherland, the immediate vicinity of which 
had been the scene of great conflicts between con- 
tending and contesting armies for centuries, and was 
verily a land drenched in human blood, and taking 
ship, the)^ started on the journey for America. For 
weeks and months they were tossed upon the bosom 
of the ocean, braving the stormswept sea, as they 
plowed through the briny waters, now rocking upon 
the rolling waves, now tossed upon the crests of 
mighty billows, and now sinking into the great 
troughs of the sea; on they swept, weathering the 
blasts, and stemming the storms, leaving their old 
home with its loved ones, and all its kindred and 
hallowed associations far behind them in the distance, 
with brightest anticipations ever welling up in their 
hearts of a home in the new world, where they could 
be a free and happ3^ people. How their hearts must 
have throbbed with emotion as they anticipated out- 
riding the fury and storms of the ocean, and setting 
foot upon the shores of America, and while no dis- 
aster from the elements came to the ship, how the 
hearts of the ancestors must have throbbed again, 
but now with sadness, as they consigned to the sea 
all that was mortal of their brother. But while this 
sad bereavement met them on the way, they were 
not discouraged; though the remainder of their 
journey was thus beclouded, they continued on, and 
at last the two brothers arrived safely at the end of 
their long voyage, which had been so eventful to 
them in the loss of their dear brother. And now 
ends forever their history, as far as they are con- 
cerned, in the Old World, and begin in the new; and 
what a history it is? They did not make history 
that placed them in line with the world's great actors 
in the political arena as factors and leaders in the 
nation, or in the field of the world's great com- 
batants leading armies through blood to victories, nor 
yet in the scholastic realm, as scholars and educators. 
No, that was left for future generations, but they 
became famous as the humble servants of God, in 



— I 12 

being led by Him as Israel of old, out of the house 
of persecution, into the land of peace and promise, 
and here as humble pioneers and tillers of the 
soil to found families that would become a multi- 
tude for numbers, and scattered far and wide over 
the land to bless God and the nation. And by 
them all this has verilj^ been fulfilled. On the in- 
vitation of the good William Penn they embarked 
for the Province of Pennsylvania; set up their homes 
in this then wilderness land which they subdued and 
made to blossom as the rose. Here under God's 
blessing they prospered, even in the midst of great 
inconveniences and privations as pioneer settlers. 
God blessed them with virtuous, pious, and indus- 
trious families from whom have descended nearl}'- or 
quite ten thousand people, now scattered north and 
south, east and west, throughout this great land 
and Canada. 

The ancestors had left the land so often the 
scene of war and bloodshed, and scarcely had they 
gone to their eternal rest, e'er their children, now 
settled in the land of their adoption, were face to 
face with the great struggle, when the American 
colonists arose in their might, and fought for In- 
dependence from the British crown. 

During all this long and bitter struggle for 
liberty, these non-resistant settlers, though possibly 
their sympathies may have been more or less with 
the German King George, of Hanover, then on the 
British throne, yet they were in full submission to 
the American cause, even aiding it when they could 
without compromising their religious faith as regards 
war. Thus born into the nation from its infancy, 
the family has become a part of, and grown with it, 
until to-day, with heart and voice, as full fledged 
American citizens, they join in the glad triumphant 
refrain, "America." 

The ancestors left the old world because of re- 
ligious persecutions. Here they found an asylum of 
religious freedom and with their latest breath sang 
the praises of the "Ancient of days," and left to 
their descendants an inspiration of heroism and de- 



— 113— 

votiontoGod, that will live for all time to come. 
The God of our fathers has not been forgotten. 
The ftres of the altar of Jehovah are still kept 
burning as of old, and as loyal citizens of this 
God-blessed land, the family is still loyal to the 
King of Kings. Among them, skeptics there are 
none, thank God. 

John Fretz was twice married, his first wife 
was Barbara, daughter of Hans Meyer, pioneer 
of Upper Salford, Montg. Co. Pa., by whom he 
had the following children, viz: John, Jacob, 
Christian, Abraham and Elizabeth. His second 
wife was Ivlaria, (maiden name unknown), had 
three children, Mark, Henry, Barbara. 

The eldest son, John, owned and run a mill 
on the Tohickon in Haycock Twp for a time. 
In 1800, when seventy years old. he emigrated 
to Canada, where he died in 1826, aged ninety- 
six years. He was prominently identified with 
the first established Mennonite church in Canada 
and was the first Deacon. He raised a large 
family and his many descendants are scattered 
throughout Canada and the Western States. 
His wife was Mary Kolb of Tinicura. 

The second son, Jacob, lived for a time near 
Erwinna, and later in Bedminster on the To- 
hickon Creek, where Aaron Yerger now resides. 
From the will of William Nash, of Bedminster, oii 
record in Philadelphia, it is ascertained that the 
name of Jacob Fretz's wife was Magdalena 
Nash, daughter of William Nash, by his se- 
cond wife. Their ten children all grew to maturity 
except Magdalena, who died young, and all the 
others were married and had issue, except Hannah 
and Barbara who died advanced in years, single. 

Christian Fretz, the third son, was one of the 
prominent citizens of Bedminster, and was a wealthy 
man for the times. He heired the old homestead of 
his father, then consisting of 230 acres, and 
to this he added 30 acres by purchase in 
1793. We have quite recently learned from the 
will of William Nash, on record in Philadelphia, 



— 114 — 

and from an old record in the possession of Martin 
Overholt, of Alverton, Pa., that the wife of Chris- 
tian Fretz was Barbara Oberholtzer, eldest child of 
Martin and Agnes Oberholtzer, of Bedminster. 
Martin Oberholtzer, the father of Barbara Fretz, 
died in 1744, comparatively young, and his widow 
Agnes married William Nash, for his third wife. 
The twelve children of Christian and Barbara Fretz 
all grew up and married, except Christian, who 
died at the age of 24 years, single. The descendants 
of the eleven others increased with wonderful rapid- 
ity, so much so that at the time of Barbara Fretz's 
death, there had been born to her 224 descendants, 
and from whom have descended to the present time 
some 2500 or more souls. 

Abraham Fretz, the fourth son, lived in the 
eastern part of Bedminster on a large and fertile 
farm of 226 acres, now owned by Reed Fretz and 
H. Erwin Fretz. It is 'not known whom he married. 
He had one son and four daughters, the latter all 
married in the Landis family. 

Elizabeth Fretz, the fifth child, and only daugh- 
ter by the first wife, married Jacob Kolb, son of 
the pioneer Isaac Kolb. They lived on a farm near 
Blooming Glen, and from their ten children have 
sprung numerous descendants. 

Mark Fretz, eldest son by the second wife 
Maria, became possessed of several hundred acres of 
land in New Britain Township, and was extensively 
engaged in farming and milling. He married Bar- 
bara, daughter of Rev. Henry Rosenberger. They 
worshiped at the Mennonite church at Line Lexing- 
ton, of which he was a very prominent member, and 
was the deacon for many years. 

Henry Fretz, second son by second wife Maria, 
lived in Bedminster, on what is known as the Joseph 
Wisler farm, where he followed farming and shoe- 
making. His wife was Barbara, daughter of Jacob 
Oberholtzer, of Bedminster, and grand-daughter of 
the pioneer Jacob Oberholtzer, of Plumstead and 
Bedminster Twps. 

The pioneer Christian Fretz settled along the 



o 




1 1 



Tinicum Creek at Heaney's Mill, on a tract of 140 
acres. The homestead proper, now owned and oc- 
cupied by a descendant, Joseph M. Hochman. 
His wife's name was Elizabeth, (maiden name not 
known). He made his will Jan. 22, 1777, proved 
Apr. 26, 1784. His children were Daniel, Abraham 
Christian, Mark, Barbara, Esther. Of Daniel Fretz,' 
but little is known. His descendants for the most 
part reside in Westmoreland Co. Pa. 

Abraham Fretz owned a large farm of 224 acres 
in Bedminster Twp. The old homestead is where 
Anthony R. Fretz now resides. His wife was Doro- 
thea Kulp 

Christian Fretz Jr. married Judith Kulp. They 
lived on the old Fretz homestead in Tinicum, where 
he built the present stone house now over 100 vears 
old. 

Mark Fretz lived in Tinicum on a farm of 200 
acres, where Jocob Steely now lives. He married 
Gertrude Kulp, sister to his brothers,' Abraham and 
Christian, wives. Their numerous descendants re- 
side for the most part in the West. 

Barbara Fretz married Jocob Yoder. They 
lived in New Britain Township. 

Of the other daughter, Esther Fretz, it was our 
good fortune, when compiling the Oberholtzer his- 
tory, to discover her descendants. She was born 
about 1748, married Martin Overholt of Bedminister 
They lived in early life in Tinicum Twp. In 1800 
they emigrated to Westmoreland Co. Pa. About 
1810 he went to Ohio, and selected land in Coshoc- 
ton and Tuscarawas counties, intending to move 
there, but a few weeks before they were ready to 
move, he was taken sick and died. His family, 
however, all except the daughter, Agnes Stauffer 
and family, after his death removed to Ohio, where 
the widow, Esther, and several of the family died 
during an epidemic of spotted fever in Feb. 1813. 
Their children, [4 in number, were Elizabeth, wife 
of Rev. Abraham Welty; Agnes, wife of Christian 
Stauffer; Christian; Barbara, wife of Rev. Mathias 
Burchfield; Henry, died single; Mary, wife of 



•ii6- 



Christian Noffzinger; Magdalena, wife of John 
Murama; Martin; Abraham; Isaac, died single; 
Esther, died single; Sarah, wife of Philip Welty: 
Joseph; and Anna, wife of Gabriel Weiraer. The 
last named, Anna, was born when her mother was 
55 years old. 

The ancestors have for, lo, these many years 
slept that sleep that knows no earthly waking. 
Many descendants have followed them upon the 
scenes of the world's activity and passed along 
the same great highway of life, and on to the 
great future. As living representatives may we 
ever hold in loving remembrances the virtues and 
piety of our worthy sires, and at the final gathering 
of the nations come up as a mighty host and sit down 
with Iheni in our Heavenly Father's Kingdom. 



FAREWELL. 



Dear Friends: — As we reach the close of 
this volume, and ere we lay down our pen, we wish 
to add a few parting words commendatory of our 
progenitors whose names and deeds are written in 
this book. To them we owe a debt of gratitude, for 
their unflinching courage in the performance of duty, 
and devotion to God. Nearly two centuries ago, de- 
prived of the blessings of religious liberty to worship 
God in a manner acceptable to themselves in the 
"fatherland," they fled across the ocean to the shores 
of our own beloved America, then a vast wilderness. 
Here they carved out their hemes, subdued the land, 
and lived modest unassuming lives, as humble tillers 
of the soil. In their new homes the}' remembered 
the God of their fathers, and from their humble fire- 
sides went up grateful songs of praise to the Gcd of 
every blessing, while from the family altars ascend- 
ed thanksgivings from truh' grateful hearts in recog- 
nition of God's beautiful m.ercies and kindly leadings. 
Here they erected their shrines and altars, and 
worshiped unmolested the God of all the earth. 
Within these templed walls erected in the long ago, 
their voices were heard in the preached word, in 
testimony, in hearty soul inspiring songs of praise, 
and faithful to the last, these servants of Gcd heard 
the higher summons and their voices hushed in the 
silence of death, they went up to their crowns of 
glory and are now waiting for you and me. Blessed 
be their memory. 

Dear reader, let us take counsel of the fathers. 
Consider the motives that led them to leave their 
beloved homes in the far-off fatherland, to brave the 
storms and perils of the ocean for a wilderness home 
on these shores, that it was not simply to better their 
conditions in temporal affairs of this life, but as 
followers of Jesus, the Salvation of their souls, and 



INDEX. 



Gen. 
I. 

II. 

in. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 

III. 

IV. 

III. 
III. 

IV. 
IV. 

IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV, 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

II. 
III. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

III. 



John Fretz, Weaver John 8, 

10, 
John Fretz Jr. Canada John 
Manasseh Fretz 
Margaret Fretz, Hestand 
Mary Fretz, Tufford 
Elizabeth Fretz, Nunn 
Samuel Fretz 
Barbara Fretz, Thomas 
llalmah Fretz, Thomas 
Judith Fretz, Howe 
David Fretz 
Barbara Fretz, Silvius 
Mary Silvius, Geil 
Judith Fretz, Watters 
Nancy Watters 
Moses Fretz 

Dinah Fretz, Rittenhouse 
Margaret Rittenhouse, Fretz '. 
Anna Rittenhouse, Hunsber- 

eer 
Mary Rittenhouse, Houser 
John Rittenhouse 
Sarah Fretz, Hippie 
Judith Hippie, Sliehener 
Margaret Hippie 
Sarah Hippie, Hunsberger, 
William Hippie 
John Hippie 
Lawrence Hippie 
Elizabeth Fretz, Grobb 
Elizabeth Grobb, Tufford 
Mary Grobb, Smith 
John Grobb 
Abraham Grobb Jr. 
David Grobb 
Moses Grobb 
Susanna Grobb, Wismer 
Joseph Grobb 

Jacob Fretz 

Elizabeth Fretz, Kephart 

Magdalena Kephart, Bear 

Susan Kephart, Heistand 

Elizabeth Kephart 

Jacob Kephart 

John Kephart 

Catharine Kephart, Gerhart 

Hannah Kephart, Tocum 

Abraham Kephart 

Anna Kephart, Shutt 

Abraham Fretz 

Jacob Fretz 

John Fretz 

Catharine Fretz, Swartz 

John Fretz 



je. 


Ge 


«, 


IV. 


11 


IV. 


13 


IV. 


14 


IV. 


14 


IV. 


14 


IV. 


14 


IV. 


14 


IV. 


14 


IV. 


14 


III. 


14 


IV. 


14 


IV. 


14 


IV. 


14 


IV. 


14 


III. 


14 


IV. 


14 


IV. 


14 


IV. 


14 


IV. 




IV. 


14 


IV. 


14 


III. 


14 


IV. 


14 


IV. 


14 


IV. 


14 


in. 


14 


IV. 


14 


II. 


14 


III. 


14 


IV. 


14 


IV. 


1.5 


IV. 


15 


IV. 


15 


IV. 


15 


IV. 


15 


IV. 


15 


IV. 


15 


III. 


15 


IV. 


15 


IV. 


15 


IV. 


15 


IN. 


15 


IV. 


15 


III. 


15 


IV. 


15 


IV. 


15 


IV. 


15 


IV. 


15 


IV. 


15 


IV. 


15 


HI. 


15 


IV. 


15 


IV. 


15 


IV. 


15 


IV. 



II. Page. 

Magdalena Fretz, Loux 15 

Rachel Fretz, Delp 15 

Elizabeth Fretz, Heistand 15 

Abraham Fretz 15 

Barbara Fretz, Moycr 15 

John Fretz 15 

Mary Fretz, Funk 15 

Susanna Fretz, Moyer 15 

Lydia Fretz, Nace 15 

Jacob Fretz IR 

Henry Fretz 16 

Eli Fretz 16 

Noah Fretz 16 

William Fretz 16 

William Fretz 16 

Joseph S. Fretz 16 

Barbara Fretz 16 

Jacob Fretz 16 

Magdalena Fretz, Trowers 16 

Catharine Fretz, Strawn 16 

Elizabeth Fretz, Kratz 16 

Joseph Fretz, "Big Joe" 16 

Abraham Fretz 16 

William E. Fretz 16 

Catharine Fretz, Fretz 16 

Isaac Fretz 16 

William Fretz 16 

Chris tian»Fretz 16 

John Fretz, Warwick John 18 

Christian Fretz 18 

Susan Fretz, Garges 18 

Rachel Fretz, Stover 18 

Barbara Fretz, Smith 18 

Elizabeth Fretz, Smith -18 

Mary Fretz, Gill 18 

John Fretz 18 

Anna Fretz, Dungan 18 

Agnes Fretz, Bewighouae 18 

Daniel Bewighouse 18 

Barbara Bewighouse, Myers 18 

Christian Bewighouse 18 

John Bewighouse 18 
Mary Bewighouse, Mclntyre 18 

Joseph Fretz, Fuller Joe 18 

Barbara Fretz, Rosenberger 1!^ 

Anna Fretz, Bishop 19 

Susanna Fretz, Schlotter 1» 

Rachel Fretz, Zetty 19 

Sarah Fretz, Laudis 19 

John Fretz 19 
Henry Fretz, Hurrying Hen 19 

Elizabeth Fretz, Myers 19 

Christian Fretz 19 

Mary Fretz, Detweiler 19 

Sarah Fretz, Rittenhouse 19 



— 122 — 



Gen. 



IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
III. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

Ill, 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

II. 
Ill 



P»gc. 

19 



A^nes Fretz, Myers 

Abraham Fretz 

Joseph Fretz 

Annie Fretz, Benner 

Henry Fretz Jr. 

Martin Fretz 

Barbara Fretz, Moyer 

Mary Fretz, Anglemoyer 

Affnes Fretz, Loux 

Elizabeth Fretz, Kratz 

Nancy Fretz, Hunsberger 

Susanna Fretz, Funk 

Veronica Fretz, Meyers 

Catharine Fretz, Kratz 

Leah Fretz, Angeny 

Rachel Fretz, Krout 

Jacob Fretz 

Philip Fretz 

Mary Fretz, Rich 

Abraham Fretz, Deacon 

Anna Fretz, Meyers 

Christian Fretz 

John Fretz 

Isaac K. Fretz 

Martin Fretz 

Elizabeth Fretz, Hendricks 

Barbara Fretz, Myers 

Abraham Fretz, Drover 

Isaac Fretz 

Abraham K. Fretz 

Enos Fretz » 

Susanna Fretz, Myers 

John Fretz 

Elizabeth Fretz, Leffler 

Jacob Fretz 

Isaac Fretz 

William Fretz 

Mahlon Fretz 

Mary Fretz, Fretz 

Samuel Fretz 

Barbara Fretz, Hockman 

Mary Hockman, Roseuberger21 

Barbara Hockman, Wismer 21 



1» 

19 

19 

19 

19 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

21) 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

21 

21 

21 

21 

21 

21 

21 

21 

21 

21 

21 

21 

21 



Mary Fretz, Tyson 
Joseph F. Tyson 
Martin Tyson 
Mary Tyson, Haldeman 
Henry Tyson 
Elizabeth Fretz, Meyer 
Mary Meyer, Hunsberger 
Rev. Isaac Meyer 
Christian Moyer 
Rev. Abraham F. Moyer 
Anna Meyer, Kulp 
Abraham Fretz 
Agnes Fretz, Landis 



21 
21 
21 
21 
21 
21 
22 
22 
23 
22 
22 



Gen. 

IV. Sarah Landis, Leatherman 

IV. Elizabeth Landis, Shelly 

IV. Ralph Landis 

IV. Agnes Landis, Shaddinger 

IV. Anna Landis, Overholt 

IV. Abraham Landis 

IV. Joseph Landis 

III. Elizabeth Fretz, Landis 

IV. Isaac Landis 
IV. Jacob Landis 

III. Mary Fretz, Landis 

IV. Benjamin Landis 
IV. Jacob Landis 
IV. Abraham Landis 
IV. Daniel Landis 
IV. Mary Landis 

IV. Magdalena Landis 
IV. Sarah Landis 
IV. Samuel Landis 
III. Sarah Fretz, Landis 

III. Abraham Fretz 

IV. Susan Fretz, Mitman 
IV. Jacob Fretz 

IV. Anna Fretz, Fretz 
IV. Philip K. Fretz 
IV. Elizabeth Fretz 
IV. Abraham E. Fretz 

II. Elizabeth Fretz, Kolb 

III. Isaac Kulp 

IV. Jacob Kulp 
IV. Isaac Kulp 

IV. Elizabeth Kulp, Rickert 

IV. Esther Kulp, Leatherman 

IV. Gertrude Kulp, Means 

IV. Dillman Kulp 

IV. Mary Kulp, Rosenberger 

^j • T^ 1 ( Detweiler 
IV. Veronica Kulp, \ pj.jck 

IV. Moses Kulp 

III. John Kulp 

IV. Jacob Kulp 

IV. Sarah Kulp, Meyers 

III. Gertrude Kulp, Hunsberger 

III. Rev. Jacob Kulp 

IV. Samuel Kulp 

IV. Elizabeth Kulp, Godshall 

IV. Jacob Kulp 

IV. Catharine Kulp, Landis 

IV. Isaac Kulp 

IV. Henry Kulp 

IV. Gertrude Kulp, Seese 

IV. Anna Kulp, Seese 

III. Rev. Abraham Kulp 

IV. Elizabeth Kulp, Graj'man 
IV. Abraham Kulp 



Page. 



22 
22 
22 
22 






22 
23 

2a 
23 
23 
33 
S3 
23 
23 
23 
23 
23 
33 
83 
23 
23 
23 
23 
23 
23 
23 
23 

23 

23 
23 
23 
23 
23 
33 
24 
21 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
34 
24 
34 
34 



■123- 



Gen. Page- ^«"- 

IV. Anna Kulp, Overholt 

IV. Jacob Kulp 

IV. Isaac Kulp 

IV. Henry Kulp 

IV. John Kulp 

IV. Sarah Kulp, High 

IV. David H. Kulp 

IV. Barbara Kulp, Moyer 

III. Dielman Kulp 

IV. Henry Kulp 
IV. Anna Kulp, Angeny 

III. Henrv Kulp 

IV. Jacob Kulp 
IV. Isaac Kulp 
IV. Joseph Kulp 
IV. Elizabeth Kulp, Angeny 
III. Elizabeth Kulp, Silvius 
III. Barbara Kulp 

III. Catharine Kulp, Musselman 

IV. Samuel Musselman 
IV. Elizabeth Musselman, Moyer 
IV. Jacob Musselman 
IV. Henry Musselman 

II. Mark Fretz 

III. Barbara Fretz. Sliver 

IV. Elizabeth Sliver, Denyer 

III. Elizabeth Fretz, Geil 

IV. Jacob Geil 
IV. Barbara Geil, Landis 
IV. Elizabeth Geil, Rosenberger 
IV. Catharine Geil, Krabehl 
IV. Mary Geil, Landis 
IV. John Geil 
IV. Anna Geil, Heer 
IV. Samuel Geil 

III. Henry Fretz 

IV. Susan B. Fretz, Moyer 
IV. Christian B. Fretz 
IV. Eliza Fretz, Fretz 
]V. Henry B. Fretz 
IV. Mark B. Fretz 

II. Henry Fretz 

III. Marv Fretz, Godshall 
III. Jacob Fretz 

III. John Fretz 

IV. Tobias Fretz 
IV. Henry Fretz 
IV. Mary Fretz, Shaddlnger 
IV. Jonas Fretz 
IV. John Fretz 
IV. Elias Fretz 
IV. Sarah Fretz, Gotwals 
IV. Susan Fretz, Shelly 

III. Mark Fretz 

IV. Joseph Fretz 



24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

34 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 

24 
2.5 
25 
25 
2.5 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 

25 
26 

26 
26 
26 
26 
26 
26 
26 
26 
26 
26 
26 
26 



IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 

TV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 

in. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 

II. 
1. 
II. 
III. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

Ill, 



Henry Fretz 

John Fretz 

Marv Fretz, Shelly 

Bnrbara Fretz, W'ismer 

Elizabeth Fretz 

Esther Fretz. Gayman 

John Gavman 



Page. 

26 
26 
26 
26 
26 
26 
26 



Barbara Gavman, Hunsberger 26 

Elizabeth Gayman, High 26 

J>eah Gayman, Stoner 26 

Rachel Gayman, High 26 

Mary Gayman 26 

Henry Gayman 26 

Christian Gaymaii 26 
Esther Gayman, Crouthamel 26 

Sarah Gayman, Young 26 

Henrv Fretz 26 

Mary" Fretz, Shaddmger 26 

Barbara Fretz 26 

Jonas Fretz 26 

Barbara Fretz 26 

Mary Fretz, Leatherman 26 

Isaac Fretz 26 

Eliza Fretz, Myers 26 

Hannah Fretz, Myers 26 

Sarah Fretz, Overholt 26 

Levi A. Fretz 26 

Rev. Abraham Fretz 26 

Jacob Fretz 26, 45 

Barbara Fretz, Fellman 26, 46 

Henry B. Fretz 26, 46 

Abraham B. Fretz 26, 47 

Sarah Fretz, Wisler 27 

John Wisler 27 

Henry Wisler 27 

Barbara Wisler, Lapp 27 

Samuel Wisler 27 

David Fretz 27 
Minerva E.Fretz, Leatherman 27 

Oliver Fretz 27 



Barbara Fretz 



27 



Christian Fretz 38 

Daniel Fretz 30 

Christian Fretz 30 

John Fretz 30 

Henry Fretz 30 

Daniel Fretz 30 

Mary Fretz 30 

Anna Fretz, Stauffer 80 

C;hristian Fretz 30 

Eve Fretz, Dinstman 31 
Elizabeth Dinstman, Mitchel 31 

Mary Dinstman, Mitchel 3L 

Anna Dinstman 31 

Daniel Fretz 31 



— 124— 



Gen. 



Page. 



IV. 
IV. 
III. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

Ill 

III 

II. 
in 

IV, 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

III. 

IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

Ill 

IV, 
IV 
IV 
IV 
IV 
IV 

III 
III 

]V 
JV 
IV 



Maria Fretz 31 

Aaron H. Fretz 31 

Jacob Fretz 31 

Georp:e Fretz 31 

Marv Fretz. Everly 31 

Daniel Fretz 31 

Jacob Fretz 31 

John Fretz 31 

Andrew Fretz 31 

Barbara Fretz, Strickler 31 

Anna Fretz 31 

David Fretz 31 

Catharine Fretz 31 

Samuel Fretz 31 

Elizabeth Fretz, Frick 31 

Abraham Fretz 31 

Judith Fretz. Meyer 31 

Abraham S. Meyer 31 

John Meyer 31 

Christian Meyer 31 

William Meyers 31 

Dorothea Meyers, Kratz 31 

Rev. Samuel'Meyers 31 

Isaac Meyers 31 

Elizabeth Fretz, Stover 33 

Abrahan Stover 33 

Catharine Stover, Stover .33 

Barbara Stover, Detweiler 33 
, Elizabeth Stover, Rosenber- 

ger32 

. Henry Fretz 33 

Anna Fretz, Moyer 33 

Joseph Fretz 33 

Henry Fretz, "Velvet Henry"33 



John Fretz 

Abraham Fretz 

Mary Fretz, Hockman 

Joseph Fretz 

Elizabeth Fretz 

Siisan Fretz, Detweiler 

Sarah Fretz, Myers 



33 
33 
33 
33 
33 
33 
33 



Catharine Fretz, Leatherman33 

Veronica Fretz, High 33 

Esther Fretz, Myers 33 

Joseph Myers 33 

Jonas Myers 

Catharine Meyers, Moyer 

Rachel Myers, Myers 

Abraham" Myers 

Ephraim Myers 

Anna Fretz 

Barbara Fretz, Kaisinger 

Joseph Kaisintier 

Lizzie Kaisinger 

John S. Kaisinger 



Gen. 

IV. Abraham Kaisinger 

IV. 
IV. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 



Page. 

33 

33 



Charles S. Kaisinger 

Rachel Kaisin ger, Lea therman 33 



Hannah Kaisinger, Myers 
Samuel Kaisinger 
Jonas Kaisinger 

II. Christian Fretz 

III. Judith Fretz, Wagner 

IV. Henry Wagner 
IV. .John Wagner 

IV. Elizabeth Wagner, Kilmer 
IV. Anna Wagner, Miller 



33 
33 
33 

33 
33 
33 
32 
33 
33 



33 

33 
33 
33 
33 
33 
33 
32 
33 



IV. Catharine Wagner, | j^J^'' «^3 

IV. George Wagner 33 

IV. Rebecca Wagner, Wolfiuger 33 

III. Christian Fretz 33 

IV. Anna Fretz, Hillpot 33 
IV. Henry Fretz " 
IV. Elizabeth Fretz, Fretz 
IV. John Fretz 
IV. Christian Fretz 
IV. Mary Fretz, Heaney 
IV. Joseph Fretz 
IV. Jacob Fretz 
IV. Susan Fretz, Shellenberger 
III. John Fretz 
III. Henry Fretz 

II. Mark Fretz 

III. Anthony Fretz 

IV. Samuel Fretz 
IV. Anna Fretz, Solliday 
IV. Mary Fretz, Solliday 
IV. Mark Fretz 
IV. Joseph Fretz " 
IV. Catharine Fretz, Solliday " 

III. Judith Fretz, Diustman " 

IV. Abraham Dinstman " 

IV. Elizabeth Dinstman, Overholt " 

Ti , I-,- i ( Hardman ,, 

IV. Barbara Dnistman, j gj^Q^jj 

IV. Isaac Dinstman " 

IV. Anna Dinstman, Overholt 

III. Elizabeth Fretz, Leatherman 

IV. Abraham Leatherman 
IV. John Leatherman 
IV. Jacob F. Leatherman 
IV. Henry Leatherman 
IV. Catharine Leatherman, Det- 
weiler 

IV. Rev. Samuel Leatherman 

III. Mary Fretz, Dinstman 

IV. Nancy Dinstman, Shoup 
IV. Mark Dinstman 



)7 

J) 

7) 
J? 
J) 



)> 
)) 
)) 
)> 

)) 
17 

34 
34 
34 



III. Gertrude Fretz, Leatherman 34 



— 125- 



Gen. 



Page. Gen. 



IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
III. 
IV. 
IV. 

II. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

III. 

IV. 

IV. 

IV. 

IV. 

IV. 

IV. 

IV. 

III. 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

Ill 

IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 
IV. 

Ill 
III 
111 

IV, 
IV, 
IV, 
IV, 
IV 
IV, 
IV 
IV, 



Anua Leatherman, Fry M 

Mary Leatherraan, Fretz 34 

Philip Leatherman 34 

Elizabeth Leatherman 34 

Jacob Leatherman 34 

Anna Fretz, Oberholtzer 34 

William Overholt 34 

Joseph Overholt 34 

Barbara Fretz, Yoder 34 

Esther Fretz, Overholt 34 

Elizabeth Overholt, Welty 3.5 

Sarah Weltv, Robart 3.5 

Agnes Overholt, Stauffer 35 

Annie Stauffer, Stoner 35 

Esther Stauffer, Fulkerth 35 

Elizabeth Stauffer, Overholt 35 

Christian Stauffer 35 

Sarah Stauffer, Smutz 35 

Mary Stauffer, Bear 35 

Abraham Stauffer 35 

Christian Overholscr 35 

Joseph Overholser 35 

Martin Overholser 35 

John Overholser 35 

Esther Overholser 35 

Fannie Overholser, Pickens .35 

Rebecca Overholser,Robinson 35 

Anna Overholser, Cruni 35 

, Barbara Overholt, Burchfield35 

Esther Burchfield, Alleshouse35 

Elizabeth Burchfield, Donat 35 

John Burchfield 35 

Martin Burchfield 35 

Anna Burchfield, Slusser 35 

Barbara Burchfield, Deardorff 35 

Sarah Burchfield, Adams 35 

Tvlary Burchfield, Scott 3.5 

, Henry Overholt 35 

, Marv Overholt, Noffzinger 35 

, Magdalena Overholt,Muramao5 

Martin Miimma 36 

, Barbara Mumma, Welty 36 

, George Mumma 36 

Isaac Mumioa 36 

, John Mumma 36 

, Christian Mumma 36 

, Catharine Mumma, Lower 36 

, Abraham Mumma 36 



Page- 
36 



IV. David Mumma 

IV. Esther Mumma, Koher 36 

III. Martin Overholt 36 

IV. Jacob Overholt 36 
IV. Abraham Overholt 36 
IV. Elizabeth Overholt, Riggles 36 
IV. Esther Overholt 36 
IV. Martin Overhfilt 36 

III. Abraham Overholt 36 

IV. John Overholt 36 
IV. Catharine Overholt, Hum- 

richouse .36 

IV. Abraham Overholt 36 
IV. Elizabeth Overholt, Bauch- 

man 36 

IV. Esther Overholt, Myers .36 

IV. Anna Overholt, Reiser 36 

IV. Martin Overholt 36 

IV. Isaac Overholt .36 

IV. Jacob Overholt 36 

IV. Christian Overholt 36 

III. Isaac Overholt 36 

III. Esther Overholt 36 

III. Sarah Overholt, Welty • 36 

IV. Esther Welty, Alter 36 
IV. John Welty 36 
IV. Isaac Weltv 36 
IV. Eliza Ann Welty, Otis 36 
IV. Mary Welty, Foreman 36 

III. Joseph Overholt 36 

IV. Abraham Overholt 36 
IV. Elizabeth Overholt, Schwarz- 

lose 36 

IV Jonas Overholt 36 

IV. Joseph Overholt 36 

IV. John Overholt 36 

IV. Jacob Overholt 36 

IV. Margaret Overholt, Stults S6 

IV. Mary Overholt, Thursby ^6 

IV. Isaac Overholt S6 

III. Anna Overholt, Weimer ^7 

IV. Sarah A. Weimer, Crise 57 
IV. Elias W. Weimer 37 
IV. Susan Weimer, Bash 37 
IV. Louisa Weimer, Stall 37 
IV. Josiah Weimer 37 
IV. Orlando B. Weimer 37 
IV. Caroline Weimer, Horton 3 7 
IV. Sybill a Weimer, Grant 37 



ERRATA. 



Page 10 read trumpet, not trumphet. 

VA " undoubtedly, for undoubted. 

14 " ordained deacon in 1801. 

14 " m Jacob Silvius. 

29 " Chatties, notChallets. 

35 " Rev. Abraham Welty, not Weltz. 

38 " semblance, not resemblance. 

fifi " profession, not porfession. 



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